International Donors Commit $4.5 Billion for Sri Lanka's Reconstruction - 2003-06-11

In Sri Lanka, the Tamil Tigers have rejected the government's proposal to return to peace negotiations. The Sri Lankan government had suggested creating a temporary administrative structure in the northeastern regions of Sri Lanka, where the Tamil ethnic group is in the majority, and to give the rebels a significant role in regional affairs, but did not clarify the structure. This proposal was presented yesterday at a conference held in Tokyo, Japan's capital, to allocate international aid for the reconstruction of Sri Lanka. Rebel representatives did not attend that conference. International donors pledged over $4.5 billion for the reconstruction of war-torn Sri Lanka to provide a major incentive for the Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebels to revive peace talks. However, the rebels boycotted the meeting of representatives from fifty governments and international organizations in Tokyo, stating that they would not engage in peace talks as long as the government did not clarify the administrative structure for the Tamil ethnic group. The main condition of the donors has been that the Sri Lankan government and rebels must engage in dialogue to establish peace.