Japanese aid to improve living conditions of returnees to Sri Lanka's Eastern Province

The Japanese Government has granted US$ 405,099 (approximately Rs. 45 million) to improve the living conditions of the displaced people returned to the Batticaloa District in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.
The project "Support for Livelihood of Returnees in Batticaloa District" is to be implemented by JEN, a Japanese NGO, in order to improve the living conditions of the resettled communities in the East, a release of the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said.

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Kunio Takahashi and the Head of Colombo Main Office of JEN Shu Nishimaru signed the grant contract at the Embassy of Japan in Colombo Wednesday (01).

This project is the third phase of the "Livelihood Project for Returnees in Batticaloa" that JEN has implemented since 2007 through the Japan-NGO cooperation Grant scheme funded by the Government of Japan.

The project will provide support to construct 29 agro-wells, provide 29 water pumps and seeds, to conduct workshops, and to reconstruct 17 culverts in the 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions of Kiran and Chenkalady District Secretary division in Batticaloa.

The project is expected to provide a stable water supply, ensure livelihood and food security, and improve income of nearly 5,000 families directly and indirectly.

The press release says the Japanese government has focused its assistance for Sri Lanka on consolidation of peace and reconstruction as well as medium and long-term vision for development.

"In this context, Japan has given high priority to support the reconstruction of the Northern and the Eastern provinces and to improving the living conditions of the people," it says.

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

According to the Embassy statement, the Government of Japan has also extended projects in the conflict affected areas of the Eastern Province, such as construction of 5 bridges in the Eastern Province, Eastern Province Water Supply Development Project, and Pro-Poor Eastern Infrastructure Development Project.

In addition, Japan has been providing support for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the East and the North thorough several Japanese NGOs affiliated to the Japan Platform (JPF).