'Confusion' over Sri Lanka conference

Negotiators say peace talks have progressed rapidly

By Frances Harrison BBC correspondent in Colombo

With just days to go before the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tiger rebels make a joint appeal to bilateral donors in Oslo, many donors say they are confused about what they are being asked for.

Diplomats and aid workers say there is confusion about the pledging conference to be held next week to raise money for quick impact projects for people in the conflict areas.

For some countries which have proscribed the Tamil Tigers... it is still a concern that the rebels will have a role in deciding how this fund is spent

Officials say there has not been time yet to identify specific projects for the conflict areas; instead donors will be asked to pledge support for sectors such as resettlement, agriculture or education.

Norwegian mediator Erik Solheim says he understands there is some confusion on the part of donors.

'Rapid' progress

But Mr Solheim says, this is because the peace process has moved far more rapidly than expected and is not travelling along a fixed predetermined path.

Mr Solheim says the conference in Oslo has always had two aims - to raise political and financial support.

More than 64,000 people have died in the 19-year conflict

But donors say there simply is not much money about for Sri Lanka and complain their contributions to existing projects are not being speedily absorbed.

This may explain the Sri Lankan government's increasing emphasis on the political aspect of the Oslo meeting - which will be attended by senior US and British figures as a demonstration of their support.

Donors are being asked to give money for quick reaction projects to a fund with will be based outside Sri Lanka.

Officials say there has not been time yet to identify specific projects for the conflict areas

Officials say it is up to the donors to decide on Monday where that fund will be located and which individual country or organisation will manage it.

But for some countries which have proscribed the Tamil Tigers as terrorists, it is still a concern that the rebels will have a role in deciding how this fund is spent.

The head of the peace secretariat Bernard Goonetilike says those countries can give funds directly to the government, NGOs or international organisations instead.