Question Period Note: Sri Lanka - International Assistance

How much international assistance is Canada providing to Sri Lanka, and what is it achieving?

• Canada's assistance to Sri Lanka totalled $16.76 million in 2017/18. Canada works primarily through trusted implementing partners, including Canadian and local civil society organizations. Most bilateral projects include activities in conflict-affected areas of Sri Lanka.

• For example, with Canada's recent support: Over 400,000 square metres of land has been cleared of landmines; Over 4,000 youth received vocational training and found jobs; Reconciliation has been fostered by promoting dialogue between war widows of different ethnicities.

• Starting this year in Sri Lanka, Canada will be providing up to: $3 million for local women's rights organizations and $2 million for civil society advocacy of language rights and inclusion.

Canada's total international assistance to Sri Lanka averages $21 million annually over the last five years (latest available data below) and includes funding from GAC and other government entities (e.g. Finance Canada, IDRC).

2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
17.84M 27.32M 22.83M 20.28M 16.76M

The overall objective of GAC's bilateral assistance to Sri Lanka is to promote inclusive governance and reconciliation, growth that works for everyone, and gender equality. Our bilateral development assistance addreses the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable across the country, including, but not limited to, conflict-affected northern areas (where Tamils constitute the majority).
Currently, the bilateral development program (approx. $5M/year) supports: increased access to credit and markets for rural entrepreneurs; improved delivery of government services in both official languages (Tamil and Sinhala); strengthened data collection on gender-based violence; and improved capacity of local women's rights organizations. Recently concluded initiatives include funding for de-mining in Northern Province and for vocational training of youth - including women from conflict-affected areas - in sectors such as tourism and IT.

Through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program, Canada has provided funding to civil society to strengthen rehabilitation of war-affected women and reconciliation between widows of Sinhalese and Tamil heritage, and to promote a more inclusive media including by amplifying women's voices on religious and ethnic diversity.

GAC has also supported the deployment of Canadian volunteers to Sri Lanka, as well as development initiatives of smaller Canadian organizations; in May 2019, two projects addressing gender-based violence (total of up to $2.5M) were announced. GAC and Finance both support efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has also benefited from Finance Canada's annual contributions to the lending arms of the World Bank. In addition, IDRC has been supporting initiatives in agriculture, inclusive economies, IT and policy initiatives.

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