Japan provides food aid to the North

The government of Japan has decided to provide food grant assistance to the value of 120 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 180 million) to the government of Sri Lanka through the World Food Programme in order to support the ongoing School Meals Programme in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

There is much concern about the nutritional needs of the reselted Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), especially children in the North. Good nutrition amongst children is of utmost importance, since it has a significant impact on their growth as well as their performance at school. The Ministry of Economic Development will oversee the distribution of the food assistance. As part of this food grant assistance, Japan will provide canned fish which is manufactured in the areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, but processed in an area with no radiation threat and examined for safety by third party organizations. The products are the same as those sold in the Japanese market.

This year Japan and Sri Lanka commemorates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Japan hopes this assistance would further strengthen the long-standing friendship between our two countries. The signing of the grant contact took place in Japan on March 16, 2012 between Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiyuki Kato and WFP Japan Representative Mohamed Saleheen, According to a press release from the Japanese embassy.