NEWS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF JEAN LAMBERT
LONDON'S GREEN MEP ON FACT-FINDING MISSION TO SRI LANKA
21 March 2005
London's Green MEP, Jean Lambert, will join a small international group of Euro-MEPs on a fact-finding mission to Sri-Lanka, this week, which will include visits to the Tsunami-stricken areas on the coast briefings with the Sri-Lankan cabinet, visits to a prison and several visits to hospitals and aid projects across the country.
The trip will also include a one-day visit to The Maldives to find out how tsunami- hit areas are recovering in that area.
The Maldives has rapidly become the forgotten victim of the Tsunami. There was no wall of water but a swell which destroyed islands. While relatively few people died, relatively more have been affected. One third of the population have been severely affected and 4% of the population displaced.
Jean said; "There is some positive news from the area. The Commission response was quick with a focus on shelter and restoration of livelihoods as well as the Safe Island programme - designed to protect the population from the rising sea level by planting more trees and mangroves. Training has started in environmental awareness, encouraging community participation, decentralisation and democratisation. There has also been a derogation on the rules of origin to help the textiles industry. Particular priorities have been on Governance, gender and environment."
Mrs Lambert will visit Colombo, Galle, Ratmalana, Trincomalee, Habarana, Kanthale, Sigiriya, Male, Dharubaaruge and Kurumba on the trip, which will span from the 20- 29 March.
Mrs Lambert continued; "As part of South Asia Association for Regional Co-operation, I am especially interested to visit the region and find out, at first hand, the impact of last year's tragic tsunami and the huge efforts being undertaken by charities and NGOs across the Sri Lanka and the Maldives to help both countries take the first steps on the path to recovery."
"In the Maldives we are seeing the start of constitutional reform, with Constitutional reform is going ahead and is looking optimistic, with pro reform candidates standing this time."
Mrs Lambert will be available for briefings to journalists following her trip.
To arrange a meeting with Jean, please contact Alex Rowe 020 7407 6280 /
alexrowe@greenmeps.org.ukEnds
A copy of the SAARC agenda is available from Alex Rowe on request.