German assistance to Vanni

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The first part of a three-year long German Federal Government funded project worth Rs 275 million to uplift livelihoods in Vanni started yesterday under the patronage of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jens Ploetner.

The German Ambassador handed over agricultural equipment and fishing gear worth over Rs 48 million to the Minister as part of this project to revive livelihoods of displaced families resettled in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.

Tractors, mammoties, PVC water cans, water pumps, PVC hand prayers, jungle knives and fishing gear for prawn fishing community are included in the donation. The project covers agriculture, fisheries and education infrastructure. It also focuses on providing counseling and opportunities for women. Over 3,000 resettled families in Kilinochchi district and 1,700 in Mullativu will benefit from this project. Currently, a needs assessment is being done to include beneficiaries from Vavuniya.