Japan assists peace, development

As a nation which has committed itself and also contributes to global peace and prosperity, Japan focuses its assistance in Sri Lanka on Consolidation of Peace and Reconstruction as well as Medium and Long-term Vision for Development. Accordingly, Japan has given high priority to the reconstruction of the Northern and the Eastern Provinces and to the improvement of the living conditions of the people.

Japan has also extended its fullest support to the peace process since it firmly believes that peace and reconciliation are pre-requisites for sustainable development and prosperity of Sri Lanka.

Japan’s assistance to the North and the East has ranged from urgent humanitarian assistance to overall social and economic development, and is channeled through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), International Organizations and NGOs.

Meeting the immediate needs

The government of Japan took immediate measures to assist the people affected by the long drawn conflict and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) after the conflict.

Relief assistance including food, shelter material and amenities to the value of US$ 20 million (approximately Rs 2,250 million) was provided to IDPs through International Organizations such as IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR and eight Japanese NGOs affiliated to Japan Platform to meet the emergency needs of the people.

Support for de-mining

Japan has been a key donor supporting de-mining operations in Sri Lanka to accelerate the return and resettlement of IDPs and to facilitate the recommencement of agriculture and livelihood activities.

Since 2003, Japan has provided a sum of US$ 21 million (approximately Rs 2,350 million) for mine clearance activities in the North and the East, and helped to release vast areas of land for resettlement and agricultural activities. In 2010, Japan has extended US$ 1.6 million (approximately Rs 180 million) for de-mining activities in Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna through Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), the HALO Trust and Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH).

The support towards de-mining also contributes to providing employment opportunities for residents in the area.

Recovery and Development

i. Providing basic social services.

In addition to urgent relief support for the conflict affected people, Japan has taken a lead in recovery and development assistance in the North and the East by providing basic social services.

Japan assisted in the construction of the Kilinochchi District hospital during the ceasefire period in order to provide much needed health facilities for the people and is now assisting in the improvement of the central functions of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital in order to cater to the growing needs of the people in the North.

The assistance for construction of the Kilinochchi - Vavuniya Transmission Line is aimed at providing electricity to the people in the North satisfactorily. In the East, the Eastern Province Water Supply Development Project is ongoing and will provide clean drinking water to people in urban areas and will assist to set up several rural water supply schemes.

ii. Improving connectivity

Improving connectivity with urban areas is a key element for rural areas to develop its economy, especially in the conflict affected areas. At the same time, better connection between the North, the East and the rest of country is essential not only for spurring development but also for promoting peace and friendship among all communities in the country. In this respect Japan assisted in the construction of roads and bridges in the North and the East in order to facilitate social and economic development and the movement of people.

The new Mannar bridge and causeway and the Sri Lanka-Japan Friendship Peace Bridge/Manampitiya bridge depicts the significance of connectivity between the North and the East and the rest of the country.

In addition, national roads at village level in the Eastern Province will be rehabilitated through the Pro-Poor Eastern Infrastructure Development Project and the Provincial/Rural Road Development Project, respectively. Japan has also agreed to provide assistance for the construction of 5 bridges in the Eastern Province so that the rural areas would be linked to the main road network and in turn enhance the rural economy and improve the lives of the people.

iii. Promoting self-reliance efforts

Japan places high priority towards livelihood restoration in conflict affected areas and has assisted a number of projects that would promote self-reliance efforts of the people. The Poverty Alleviation Micro Finance Project, Agriculture and Rural Development for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction through Community Approach in Trincomalee District (TRINCAP), Pro-Poor Economic Advancement and Community Enhancement Project (PEACE), Pro-Poor Rural Development Projects are good initiatives which targeted livelihood development and empowerment of communities.

In addition, Japan through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGP) has supported a variety of community based projects to promote self-reliance efforts among communities. Recently Japan focused its GGP support on livelihood improvement of conflict affected areas, and assisted a number of projects for livelihood restoration and reconstruction of community infrastructure in the North and the East through NGOs such as Sarvodaya, Sewalanka and Association of Social Activities Development Sri Lanka.

Since its inception, GGP has supported over 30 community based projects in the North and the East in order to meet local needs.

Japan also provided support through several Japanese NGOs for implementing livelihood related projects and at present Save the Children, Japan is involved in early childcare development in Trincomalee, while JEN is helping farmers to restore agriculture in Batticaloa.

In addition, Japan supported several livelihood development programs at community level through UN agencies.

iv. Strengthening capacity of human resources

In the area of human resource development there is an ongoing program to improve the capacity of local authorities through the training of 3,000 staff of the Northern and the Eastern Provincial Council.

In addition, under Japan’s Human Resources Development Scholarships program, several public officers from the North and the East are currently engaged in higher studies in the fields of public administration and development in Japan.

Plans are also underway to commence Young Leaders Program in Post Conflict Reconstruction and Peace Building that would provide opportunity for 26 youth from the North and the East to follow an 18-day training program in Japan.

On the whole all these initiatives portray Japan’s strong commitment to assist the recovery and development of the North and the East and to improve the lives of the people living in these areas.

Through this assistance, Japan strongly hopes that the people will directly benefit from the recovery and development initiatives, improve their livelihoods, enjoy sustainable peace through reconciliation efforts, and achieve self-reliance and socio-economic development.