Japanese Ambassador in Colombo Akio Isomata recently signed a grant contract for a demining project in terms of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”, with Sarath Jayawardhana, Programme Manager of the Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP).
The Government of Japan has provided USD 477,185 (approx. Rs. 144million) for this project, which will be implemented by SHARP, to support its humanitarian demining activities in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, the Japanese embassy said.
Under this new project, more than 180,000 m2 of land is expected to be made mine-free, allowing approx. 600 people to return to the land and approx. 1,500 people in the surrounding areas to expand their economic activities. Japan has been a major donor in demining activities in Sri Lanka since 2002, and the total assistance amounts to over USD 48 million.
Expressing deepest gratitude to SHARP for its dedication and untiring efforts, and reiterating Japan’s commitment to continued assistance, Ambassador ISOMATA said: “During President Dissanayake’s visit to Japan last month, President expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued assistance in demining activities in Sri Lanka, recognizing the assistance as impacting positively towards national reconciliation, and supporting community empowerment and post-conflict development in the North and East. Japan appreciates these kind words of recognition extended by the President. In the summit meeting between the two leaders in Tokyo, both sides also affirmed the importance of addressing socio-economic challenges of conflict-affected communities in the North and East. Bearing in mind that national reconciliation and socio-economic development are closely interconnected, the Japanese side reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its support for the development of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.”
