Japanese Government Extends Grant Assistance to Enhance Socioeconomic Development in Sri Lanka
As a key development partner, the Government of Japan offers concessional loans and various grant aid programs to bolster bilateral relations and uplift the socio-economic status. These initiatives include Economic and Social Development Programs, Technical Cooperation, Research Partnerships, and non-project grant aid.
Amidst Sri Lanka’s current economic challenges, Japan has furthered its support by providing immediate humanitarian aid to affected communities and enhancing public sector capabilities, aiming to alleviate the socioeconomic strain.
Responding to a request from the Sri Lankan government, Japan has agreed to extend grant assistance totaling 1.6 billion Japanese Yen (approximately 3.3 billion LKR) under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme. This aid will target diverse sectors such as marine environment, fisheries, healthcare, and vocational training.
The assistance package encompasses the provision of essential resources, including oil boom vessels with accessories, generators, cargo trucks, ultrasonic scanners, medical equipment, and vocational training machinery. These resources aim to bolster Sri Lanka’s oil spill response capabilities, improve maternal and pediatric care in major hospitals in the Northern Province, and enhance vocational training opportunities.
The Exchange of Notes formalizing this grant was signed by Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and Mr. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka, on March 18, 2024, at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies.
