§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report progress on and give the latest estimate of United Kingdom overseas aid contribution to the Victoria dam project in Sri Lanka.
§ Mr. RaisonThe Victoria dam project in Sri Lanka was reviewed jointly by our two Governments last month, and impressive progress over the previous 12 months was recorded. The dam structure is now 75 per cent. complete and an international technical review panel has declared the quality of the work to be of a high order. Despite past setbacks the whole project is running close to programme. While much remains to be done, there is no reason why the original target date for completion should not be achieved.
The United Kingdom aid contribution stands at £100 million, of which some £67 million has now been disbursed. Provision is also being made for training Sri Lankan personnel who will operate the project after completion.