Supporting the Governments efforts to address the needs of the poorest of the poor communities in Sri Lanka, the World Bank signed today the agreement for providing a grant for US$51 million for the Community-Development and Livelihood Improvement “Gemi Diriya” project.

Gemi Diriya is designed to empower poor people and help them build a sense of community control. The program builds upon lessons learned during the Village Self-Help Learning Initiative (VSHLI), a four-year pilot financed by the World Bank, and other similar initiatives, which tested the transfer of decision-making power and funds to communities. The pilot’s main lesson was that communities know best about their needs, strengths, and weaknesses; their vision; and their constraints. The pilot also showed that given an opportunity, poor people are capable of managing their development effectively and transparently.

Anula Dissanayake, community member, VSHLI, from the Nissanka Malla Pura village in Polonnaruwa, speaking at the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the World Bank on July 15th said how she was initially a little suspicious of this program. Now a committed supporter of the program she said “this is a valuable program that recognizes the rhythm of the lifestyle of the underprivileged, hears the heartbeat of the downtrodden and understands well the plight of the poor. “

"There have been several adverse reports about this project in the media, but having looked into these issues, we continue to have full confidence in the leadership and management of the project,” said Peter Harrold, the World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka. “We fully expect that rapid implementation of this program will justify this confidence and demonstrate the benefits of this program for the poorest of the poor in Sri Lanka.”

The grant, which is provided by the International Development Association, the World Bank’s concessionary arm, finances the first phase of a proposed three-phase program which will ultimately cover between 4,000 and 5,000 village communities throughout the country over a 12-year period.



For more information on World Bank activities in Sri Lanka please visit:
http://www.worldbank.org/lk