Japan grants Rs. 25.4 m to Sri Lanka

The Japanese government has granted Sri Lanka US$ 203,067 (approximately Rs. 25.7 million) to support two projects to improve livelihoods of the communities in the Anuradhapura, and Matara districts.

The grant had been provided under Japan's grant assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Approximately, Rs.11.3 million is allocated for ‘Project for Economic Empowerment of Women through Increased Production of Dried Fish and Enhancing the Marketing Network in Matara District'.

The project will be implemented by the Soba Kantha Environment Management and Community Development Foundation.

Assistance will be provided for construction of a dried fish processing and marketing complex along with 30 ovens, processing equipment and training to the women's communities of four villages in Dondra Divisional Secretary Division to assist in improving livelihoods of 200 families through increasing the production of dried fish.

This is the third dried fish project implemented by Soba Kantha, following the successful implementation of similar projects in 2010 and 2011.

Chairperson of Soba Kantha Nilmini Kanthi Mudalige, said the project was initiated to improve the living standards of the women community.

About 7-8 women benefit from each oven and one oven can produce nearly 250kg of dried fish per month. As the products will be introduced to the market as a value added item, each member can earn more than Rs. 20,000 per month as a net profit, she said.

The ‘project for rehabilitation of a tank in the conflict affected area in Anuradhapura’ will receive a grant of Rs. 14.1 million.

Community Resource Management Foundation will implement the project for rehabilitation of a tank, sluice gates, spill, bathing area and access road in Gannurannepothana village in Anuradhapura District.

Community Resource Management Foundation President Awusadahamige Wijesundara, said the tank was more than 200-years-old and previously provided water for paddy cultivation in both Yala and Maha seasons. But now farmers can cultivate only 50 acres due to low capacity of the tank.

After rehabilitation of the tank, it was expected to expand paddy cultivation for another 150 acres. It will help to enhance the income of the farmer community in the rural village.

Japan provides its assistance to Sri Lanka on the concept of ‘Inclusive Economic Growth’ and has supported the programmes such as reconstruction in the North and East, agriculture and fisheries development and rural development.

In this context, the Japanese government has decided to assist those projects, which are expected to promote Sri Lanka's social and economic development as well as to enhance peace and reconciliation at the grassroots level.

Japanese Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo signed the Grant Contracts with Soba Kantha Environment Management chairperson and Community Development Foundation N. K. Mudalige and Community Resource Management Foundation President A. Wijesundara, on March 20 at the Ambassador's Residence in Colombo.