Mr. Wolfensohn addressed the conference via video

I am extremely happy to be here at this Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka, and only regret that I can not be with you personally to participate in these meetings in the distinguished presence of the Prime Minister of Japan and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

The World Bank is, I must say, incredibly anxious and incredibly supportive in these current efforts of the Sri Lankan people to regain their country and to follow the vision and strategy of which they have set out for their future. After 20 years of conflict and with 15 months of a cease-fire, we now look forward to doing everything we can to assist the government and the people of all parts of the country to achieve both the peace and the development that is the due of this country.

I remember in my days as a student, working with Sri Lankan students in Australia. And I formed a deep affection for the country, for its history, for its culture and for its enormous potential. And so it's with great personal pride that I am happy to note that my colleagues in the institution have been called on to work with the authorities in an assessment of the needs of the country, and in particular for the North East and that we have been entrusted in working on the details of the administration of the North East Reconstruction Fund.

Let me say that the issue of peace is closely tied with the issue of economic development. It is also closely tied with the issue of equity, with the issue of social justice, with the issue of combating poverty. And wherever we are in the world we find that this interrelationship between peace and development is one that becomes more and more true, and more and more apparent.

What we are doing here at this meeting today is coming together to provide the resources-both human and financial-to assist the Sri Lankan authorities in their pursuit of economic and social justice. It is of course for the two sides to decide on peace-a peace which is so necessary to all the citizens of Sri Lanka. But we have the opportunity to participate in a supportive way by providing the human capital and the financial capital to this remarkable country and this remarkable people.

We ourselves will be engaged in activities throughout the country and we know that many of you donors that are here have already had a long history-and although sometimes interrupted-have a deep interest in the future of the country. Today is a good start for all of us.

We are thrilled that the Government of Japan is acting as the host for this meeting. And we look forward to working with you in the years ahead in the reconstruction of the whole of the country, in particular in terms of the trust fund in work in the North East and especially to work with all the Sri Lankan people for an atmosphere of equity, of social justice and one that is geared to fighting poverty and with that building peace.