Fund Dates

• Start Date: 1 April 2017
• End Date:  30 September 2018

Reports

• 2017 Bi-Annual Consolidated Progress Report

• Programme Narrative Progress Report - unavailable to-date
• Financial Report - unavailable to date
• Sources and Uses of Funds - unavailable to-date

Key Documents

• Programme document
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
• Standard Administrative Arrangement (SAA)

Overview

The Sri Lankan ethno-political conflict has predominantly been about a conflict between the state and its citizens. Whilst there have been conflicts between different communities at the ground level, they have escalated largely due to the politicization of issues by national actors. The ethno-politicization of the state has resulted in discriminatory policies and practices in employment, education, public security, land use, civic administration, etc., which have infringed the civic and political as well as socio-economic and cultural rights of minorities, and had a devastating impact on their trust and confidence in the state. However, since the political transition in 2015, people have had high expectations for tangible positive changes in society.

 With a view to addressing the complex issues that have negatively impacted upon the social fabric of Sri Lanka, the Government moved forward with the design and rolling out of the country’s transitional justice process, together with constitutional reform and wider reforms processes. These efforts also contribute to meeting the Government’s obligations under the October 2015, Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution entitled “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” which was adopted by consensus and co-sponsored by Sri Lanka. The Government with the support of the UN also formulated Sri Lanka’s Peacebuilding Priority Plan, with a view to identifying priority actions needed to address issues relating to the four pillars of i) transitional justice, ii) reconciliation, iii) good governance and iv) resettlement and durable solutions, which have the following overarching Outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Significant progress made in the implementation of the Government's commitment on transitional justice as expressed in the UNHRC Resolution
• Outcome 2: Public display greater awareness and willingness to engage constructively in the peacebuilding process
• Outcome 3: Key state institutions and processes strengthened through provision of technical support, resulting in:

         a) More effective Parliamentary input into policy and-law -making as well as oversight of the Executive enabled.                                              
         b) Enhanced capacity of the target Provincial Councils to perform their role in contributing towards the process of Sustainable National Development.
         c) Enhanced capacity of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to perform core functions, including systematic monitoring of and reporting on vulnerable groups.
         d) Enhanced capacity of the National Police Commission (NPC) to engage in its core functions.

• Outcome 4: UN catalytic engagement with resettlement and durable solutions has supported wider political transition, peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka

Governance

Quality assurance, coordination, decision-making, Programme review and working-level oversight be will be provided by a Management Committee, co-chaired by the EU Delegation and the UN Resident Coordinator, and comprise of the implementing UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF and UNHABITAT) and the Peacebuilding Fund Secretariat, anchored under the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. Representatives of partner UN agencies and beneficiary institutions will be invited as observers as deemed relevant or necessary. 

The co-chairs of the Management Committee will provide updates to the Peacebuilding Board on a biannual basis. The Board was established by the Government of Sri Lanka and the United Nations to oversee the effective implementation of the Peacebuilding Priority Plan (PPP), and is co-chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minister of Foreign Affairs/Secretary or in this absence by the SCRM) and the UN Resident Coordinator. Other members include representatives from the Government (including the Attorney General, representatives from line ministries and specialised institutions such as the SCRM and the Office of National Unity and Reconciliation), Provincial Administrations, the United Nations, the EU as representative for the Development Partners, an INGO representative and 3 national civil society representatives. Since this Programme also contributes directly to the PPP. Any oversight issues that cannot be adequately addressed by the Management Committee will also be elevated to the PBF Board for review. As such, the PBF Board will provide overall guidance for activities implemented under this Programme as part of its mandate to provide oversight for all Programmes that are within the framework of the PPP. 

Administrative Agent

Funding for the Joint Programme/Multi Donor Trust Fund utilizes a pass-through funding mechanism. Under this modality, Participating UN Organizations agree to channel funds for the Joint Programme through the Administrative Agent. The MPTF Office serves as the Administrative Agent (AA) of the Joint Programme and is AA is responsible for concluding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Participating UN Organizations  and Standard Administrative Arrangements (SAAs) with donor(s), as well as for the receipt, administration, and management of contributions from donors; disbursement of funds to the Participating UN Organizations; and consolidation of financial reports produced by each of the Participating UN Organizations and Participating Non-UN Organizations and provision of these reports to the Steering Committee for onward submission to the donor(s).