Australia offers US$ 36 million aid to Sri Lanka for education

 Australian Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr visiting Sri Lanka announced on Saturday that AU$ 34 million (US$ 36 million) will be offered by Australia to Sri Lanka in aid over the next four years to improve the country’s education.

Addressing the media. the Australian Foreign Minister announced that the aid will be given to support teacher training and classroom construction to benefit the primary and secondary school children in the country and to help the country to achieve a stable society with economic growth.

Carr has said that Australia is interested in a stable Sri Lanka since improving the education in Sri Lanka will help to curb the illegal migration of Sri Lankans to Australia and it is of Australia’s best interest.

The Australian Foreign Minister visited and met the staff and students at St. Anthony’s School in Colombo ahead of announcing the AU$ 34 million aid package.

During his three-day visit to Sri Lanka from 14-17 December, Carr is scheduled hold talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Professor G.L. Peiris and President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Talks will cover aid, economic development, human rights and people smuggling issues.