The Government of Japan?has provided a sum of US$ 394,142 (approximately Rs. 42,961,478) to implement three projects in three Districts through its "Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)" .
The demining project titled " The Project for Mechanical Support to Clearance Teams to Support Resettlement and Development in Sri Lanka" is implemented by the "Mines Advisory Group(MAG)" to facilitate the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Batticlaoa district. This project is expected not only to directly benefit approximately 1,000 people's resettlement but also to indirectly benefit about 24,000 people through minimizing mine related accidents. The cost of this project is US $ 265,212 (approximately Rs. 28,908,108)
The project titled " The Project for Conflict Affected Community Up-lift in the Trincomalee District" is implemented by the 'Association of Social Activities Development Sri Lanka (ASAD)" to enhance the livelihoods and community facilities in Kinniya, Muttur and Town & Gravets of DS divisions in the Trincomalee District. This project will benefit more than 600 families directly and approximately 800 families indirectly through providing community toilets, agro wells, drinking wells and community centers. The Japanese grant for this project is US $ 76,542 (approximately Rs. 8,343,078).
The project titled "The Project for Strengthening Sustainable Agricultural and Fishery Development Work at Karuwalagaswewa through Tank Renovation Program" is implemented by "National Fisheries Solidarity Movement(NAFSO)" to assist the agricultural activities by repairing two tanks in the Karawalagasweva area in Puttlam district. Renovation of the Mahakarbawewa tank and the Kadawelaweva irrigation tanks will benefit approximately 300 families directly and 1,000 families indirectly by storing rainwater for dry season. The total project cost is US $ 52,388 (approximately 5,710,292)
The GGP is a scheme that funds NGOs and local authorities to implement projects which directly benefit grassroots communities. This scheme has been in operation in Sri Lanka since 1989, and has provided vast support towards a multitude of development and humanitarian activities at village, district, provincial and also at national level. The GGP has already funded projects for the livelihood development in Anuradhapura and the East, for the infrastructure development in Badulla, and for de-mining projects in the North and East in this year.
The signing of this Grant Contracts took place at the Embassy of Japan on 13th November 2008. His Excellency, Mr. Kiyoshi Araki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, together with Mr. Daniel Sissling, Country Program Manager of MAG, Mr. M.S.M. Sadique, President of ASAD and Mr. W. A. Herman Kumara, National Convener of NAFSO signed the Grant Contracts in the presence of other officials.