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Japan provides assistance to fishing villages in Jaffna and Mullativu

THE Government of Japan provided US$291,508 (approximately Rs. 29,000,000) in total towards two projects relating to the "Emergency Rehabilitation Project for Tsunami Affected Fishing Villages" in Northern and Eastern coastal areas of Sri Lanka.

These projects will be implemented by two Japanese NGOs: Bridge Asia Japan (BAJ) and the Pacific Asia Resource Centre (PARC).

The tsunami related damages to the fisheries sector was immense which affected the livelihood of a vast number of people living along the coastal areas, and also of many others who are indirectly involved in such activities.

At this stage where the country is focusing on reconstruction and rehabilitation of the tsunami affected areas the vital actor in this process is the restoration of livelihoods of the affected people.

It is in this regard that the Government of Japan decided to provide assistance under its "Grant Assistance Scheme for NGOs" to BAJ and PARC for the restoration of the fisheries activities in Vadamarachchi and Mullativu.

BAJ will concentrate work relating to repairs of over 150 fishing boat engines and gear and focus on transfer of technology where a large number of fishermen in Mullativu will be trained in boat repairs.

The project will also guide the fishermen in establishing an appropriate maintenance system equipped with tool kits, etc. PARC will provide fishing craft and gear to a fisheries cooperative society in Vadamarachchi for rental for over 350 needy fishermen, aimed at sustaining the future needs of the fishermen in the area.

The NGOs concerned will work very closely with the officials of the Ministry of Fisheries in implementing the projects.

The signing ceremony of the Grant Contract relating to the two projects took place at the Embassy of Japan. H.E. Mr. Akio Suda, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and the respective Japanese NGO representatives, Mr. Yasufumi Tsukamura, Representative of BAJ in Sri Lanka and Ms. Ayakio Imanari, Project Manager, PARC signed the grant contracts.

Present at the signing ceremony were: Mr. M. S. Jayasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconciliation, Dr. A. S. Kunasingham, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconciliation, Mr. A. Hettiarachchi, Director General, Ministry of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources and Mr. G. Piyasena, Director General, Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources.