BBC News Online looks at the key issues involved in efforts to help Sri Lanka reconstruct.

What is the conference intended to do?

The conference was arranged to find money for the rehabilitation of areas affected by Sri Lanka's nearly two-decade long civil war.

The government and Tamil Tiger rebels are currently engaged in a peace process after agreeing a ceasefire in February.

It was decided at the last round of peace talks held in Thailand to bid together for foreign aid, although the government says the meeting is not a pledging conference.

Government chief negotiator GL Peiris says the main objective will be to send a powerful political message to the international community about the commitment to peace and reconstruction.

Who will be there?

The war has lasted almost two decades

The United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Britain, France and other members of the European Union are supposed to take part.

The Sri Lankan Government tried hard to get Indian Government political representation at Oslo, but India says it will be represented by a local diplomat.

Indian involvement is important as it will boost the political profile of the conference, but India does not want to be seen sharing a platform with the Tamil Tigers, blamed for the assassination of former Indian premier Rajiv Gandhi.

Which areas are worst affected by the war?

Much of the main infrastructure in the Tamil-dominated north and east of the island has been destroyed. Many roads are unuseable, there are no railways and no electricity.

There are also thousands of internally displaced people who have been living in refugee camps for over two decades.

Resettlement will be an immense task. There is also the decommissioning of military materiel and the clearing of land mines.

Local community and administrative structures also need to be rebuilt. Schools, hospitals and other essential facilities need upgrading to be on a par with the rest of the country.

How much will it cost to rebuild?

Sri Lankan analysts estimate that more than $500m is needed. The government has not given a figure or an estimate of its own.

The expectation is not only for aid, but also for investment to provide jobs and create stable economic conditions in the war-torn areas.

How will the money be disbursed and by whom?

There are certain committees to oversee the transformation process.

These committees are jointly headed by government officials and the representatives of the Tamil Tigers. It was agreed at the first round of the peace talks to establish a joint task force to rehabilitate, reconstruct and resettle.

However, the money would be handled by an independent body which would involve foreign members.

Which countries are expected to foot the bill?

It is hard to say. Canada, Japan and the European Union had expressed interest in supporting a lasting solution for the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

The main pledging conference is scheduled to be held in Japan in the middle of next year.

The money will come according to progress in the peace talks.

International donors are expected to use aid as a way of applying pressure to increase commitment from both parties.