By: Staff Writer
March 20, Colombo (LNW): Japan has provided a grant of Rs3.3 billion to Sri Lanka under its Economic and Social Development Programme this year.
Sri Lanka and Japan today signed the Exchange of Notes pertaining to the grant assistance amounting to Japanese Yen 1,600 million (approximately LKR 3.3 billion) to be provided under this Programme.
The Government of Japan, as one of Sri Lanka’s main development partners, provides concessional loans and various grant aid schemes such as the Economic and Social Development Programs, Technical Cooperation, Research Partnerships, Development Studies, and non-project grant aid.
The aim is to improve the socio-economic status by strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
During the present economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the government of Japan has extended its cooperation by providing required immediate humanitarian assistance for the affected community as well as by equipping the public sector, aiming to improve the socioeconomic situation in the country.
This Japanese grant is for the requirements of diversified field’s namely marine environment, fishing, health care, and vocational training in the country, finance ministry annaounced.
The Exchange of Notes pertaining to the above grant were signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka yesterday , at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies. The Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka, Mr. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of the Government of Japan.(Bandula)
Under this grant assistance four vessels for oil boom with the necessary accessories, a generator, and a cargo truck with a crane for improving oil spill response and management of the Sri Lanka coast guard; portable ultrasonic scanners, gynecological examination tables, a laparoscopic system, mammography, fetal heart rates, and infant warmers for improving the maternal and pediatric care in major hospitals in Northern Province.
It will help to provide industrial sewing machines, zigzag (industrial) machines, overlock (5 thread) machines, and button holder (5 thread, industrial) machines for dressmaker courses at vocational training centers in Northern Province.
A petrol boat, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, lighted buoys, and HG radio Transceivers will be provided for the project of ensure the safety of fishermen..
The Exchange of Notes pertaining to the above grant were signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka on March 18, 2024, at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies. The Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka, Mr. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of the Government of Japan.
