http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/351-japan-extended-us-780000-grant-for-demining-in-the-north


The Government of Japan has extended US$ 780,000 (approximately Rs. 85 million) grant aid for humanitarian demining in the North of Sri Lanka through Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) to expedite the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to achieve a mine-free Sri Lanka.

Japan has been a major donor supporting mine clearance in Sri Lanka to accelerate the return and resettlement of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) and to facilitate recommencement of agriculture and other livelihood activities of returnees. Since 2003, the Government of Japan has provided a sum of US$ 21.5 million (approximately Rs. 2,300 million) for demining activities in the North and the East under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Through this demining project, it is envisaged that more than 5,000 people in Vavuniya and Mannar Districts would gain access to safe lands and resume their livelihood activities. The project will also simultaneously contribute to providing employment opportunities to more than 100 residents in the area.

The Grant Contract between Kunio Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan and Nigel Robinson, Country Programme Manager, FSD, was signed on September 30 at the Embassy of Japan in Colombo.

In addition to demining assistances, the Government of Japan has extended assistance for development in the North for projects, such as improvement of central facilities of Jaffna Teaching Hospital, construction of Vavuniya-Killinochchi Transmission Line, and urgent rehabilitation of resettled communities in Jaffna and Mannar districts. Japan hopes that these assistances would holistically contribute to sustainable peace and development in Sri Lanka and promote the livelihood of the people.

At the signing ceremony, Kunio said, “looking back over my service in Sri Lanka in the last two and half years, I could say there has been tremendous improvement in terms of security and development of Sri Lanka. However, I believe that the efforts of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka toward reconciliation and reconstruction should be continued. The Government of Japan will maintain a mutual supportive relationship with Sri Lanka.”