Japan has provided a total sum of US$ 547,443 (approx. Rs. 170 million) to Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP) for humanitarian demining activities in Northern Sri Lanka, the Japanese Embassy announced yesterday (15).

The grant contract was signed on 11th August 2023 at the SHARP’s Base, in the Kilinochchi district, by Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, and Major Gen. (retd.) Sumathi Ranjan Balasuriya, Director/Field Reporting Officer of SHARP.

The Ambassador expressed Japan’s commitment to supporting continuously for the conflict-affected area to achieve reconciliation and promote sustainable development in Sri Lanka.

Since the beginning of the Sri Lanka Mine Action programme, the Government of Japan has been continuously supporting mine clearance activities and the total amount of assistance exceeds US$ 43 million. Development of the conflict-affected regions is one of the priority areas in Japan’s official development assistance policy to Sri Lanka, the embassy said.

This Financial Year’s project is expected to enable resettlement of over 400 internally displaced people and enhance livelihoods of over 2,300 individuals directly or indirectly by clearing contaminated lands in Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu districts.