6 July 2004
Rejected in 2001, complaint succeeds under new Inspection Mechanism.
The Special Project Facilitator (SPF) of the Asian Development Bank has confirmed the eligibility of the complaint pertaining to the ADB-funded Southern Transport Development Project (Loan SRI 1711). In a July 5th letter to complainants, the SPF acknowledged that their submission was eligible for investigation under the new Accountability Mechanism of the ADB. To read the entire SPF letter, see:
The complaint was submitted on June 9th by the Joint Organization of the Affected Communities, the United Society for the Protection of Akmeemana, and Gama Surakeema Sanvidhaniya. To read the full text of the STDP complaint, click here:
In his response to the complainants, the ADB Special Project Facilitator Mr. Nalin Samarasinghe stated that he deemed the compliant eligible based on the findings of a recent ADB mission. He expressed the hope that all stakeholders would work together to find acceptable ways of resolving the issues raised in the complaint. For more details on the timeline of the STDP complaint: SPF Website
In a press release, the complainants welcomed the acceptance of their complaint and reiterated that the planning, approval and resettlement of the Expressway is being done in violation of ADB's policies and guidelines.