Japan grants Rs. 12 million to improve agriculture in Sri Lanka

The Government of Japan has extended around Rs. 12 million (US$ 93,177) in grant aid to Sri Lanka for a project to improve agriculture activities in the North Central Province, a Japanese Embassy in Colombo said in a statement.
The aid given under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects scheme (GGP) is to be used for the rehabilitation of the Weliwewa Tank in Mihinthale Divisional Secretary Division of Anuradhapura district. Rajarata Janasahana Foundation will implement the project, which aims to improve agricultural activities and livelihood of approximately 300 families who are engaging in agriculture around the area. Ambassador of Japan Nobuhito Hobo and Ashoka Indika Wickramage, Chairman and Executive Director of Rajarata Janasahana Foundation signed the grant agreement at the Ambassador�s Residence in Colombo today (20). The project will contribute to socio-economic development of Anuradhapura district, the Embassy has said. The government of Sri Lanka launched a massive development drive in the district under the 2012 Deyata Kirula development project. Thanking the Government of Japan for providing the grant money, Mr. Wickramage has explained that the Weliwewa Tank which provided water to fields and gardens in Mihinthale Divisional Secretary Division had leaks in the bund and the main exit for about 8 years and the farmers have not been able to cultivate their paddy fields and lands due to the leaks. After the rehabilitation of the tank, about 350 acres of paddy field will be cultivated, water will also be provided to about 1,000 acres of home gardens, Mr. Wickramage has said. Under the GGP scheme that was launched in Sri Lanka in 1989, in 2011 alone Japan has supported 10 projects across the country in the fields of demining, rural development, livelihood improvement, and education. "Japan and Sri Lanka commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. During the last 6 decades, our two countries have maintained strong partnership through a number of mutual collaborations. The Embassy of Japan is carrying out a number of events to celebrate the 60th anniversary, and our ties would be further enhanced and developed politically, economically, and culturally," the Embassy statement said.