COLOMBO PLAN KEEN TO ASSIST SRI LANKA IN POST-WAR ERA

BY P. VIJIAN

NEW DELHI, Aug 13 (Bernama)-- The Colombo Plan Secretariat is asking Sri
Lanka to work closely with the international agency in its post-war era to
implement development projects for its people.

Its secretary-general Patricia Yoon-Moi Chia, during a courtesy call
on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, told the leader that the 59-year-old secretariat
had expertise that could be shared with the island state -- which is recovering
from a 30-year-old civil war.

"During the post-war era Sri Lanka can partner with international
organisations like the Colombo Plan to jointly implement development programs in
the country.

"We can look at drug reduction and prevention and also development progammes
for the private sector, which are our focus areas. I have highlighted these to
the president," Yoon-Moi told Bernama in a telephone interview from Colombo
Friday.

The prestigious organisation, headquartered in Colombo since its inception
in 1951, has played a vital role in promoting socio-economic advancement for
developing nations.

During her one-hour meeting with Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees', the
president's official residence in the capital, on August 10, she also stressed
on the secretariat's highly successful anti-narcotic prorgamme that could be
introduced in the country.

"He (Rajapaksa) expressed interest because child abuse cases were increasing
in Sri Lanka as a result of misuse of drugs," she added.

The secretariat is also planning to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the
Colombo Plan on July 1 next year.
-- BERNAMA