Brussels - The European Commission said Friday it was increasing its aid to Sri Lanka by 2 million euros (2.5 million dollars) to help more than 300,000 people displaced by floods. The amount comes in addition to a 17-million-euro humanitarian aid package for Sri Lanka adopted by the European Union's executive arm earlier this year.
"The aim is to help over 300,000 displaced and vulnerable people in the Vanni region, where recent heavy monsoon rains and flooding exacerbated the humanitarian situation," said EU aid commissioner Louis Michel.
In a statement, Michel also condemned the recent killing of a 28-year-old aid staffer, who worked for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on a shelter project financed by Brussels.
"I am appalled by the assassination of this brave and committed young aid worker in Sri Lanka," Michel said. "The perpetrators of such horrendous acts must be brought to justice. There can be no impunity."
At least 29 aid workers have been killed in Sri Lanka since 2006, the commission said.
