The Government of Japan has provided US$ 604,412 (Rs. 120 million) to the Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP) for humanitarian demining activities in Northern Sri Lanka. The grant contract was signed on March 25 at the Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo between Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki and SHARP Director/Field Reporting Officer Major General (Retd) Sumathi Ranjan Balasuriya.
SHARP has cleared more than 1.9 km2 of mine-contaminated land through funds from the Japan’s Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP). This FY’s project will contribute to the Government’s efforts of ensuring that mine-contaminated areas are safe, enabling resettlement of more than 2,000 displaced people and enhancing their livelihoods directly or indirectly in the Kilinochchi and the Mullaitivu Districts.
Since the beginning of Sri Lanka Mine Action Programme, the Government of Japan has been continuously supporting mine clearance activities and the total amount of assistance exceeds US$ 41.4 million. This year, Japan and Sri Lanka mark the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. Development of the conflict-affected regions is one of the priority areas in Japan’s official development assistance policy to Sri Lanka. The Government of Japan will continue to support the effort for the Government’s goal of achieving a “Mine-Impact Free Sri Lanka”. “The Japanese Embassy has for the sixth consecutive year granted Rs. 119,975,848 (US$ 595,857) under Japan’s GGP programme to SHARP to carry out humanitarian demining operations in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. We are indeed very appreciative and grateful to the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka for supporting and encouraging SHARP to initially commence demining operations in 2016 and being the sole funder for SHARP for the past five years. SHARP has cleared 1,983,108 square metres and recovered 10,226 anti-personnel mines, 138 anti-tank mines, 3,741 UXOs and over 18,696 SAA since November 2016 to date, with over 2,100 families directly and indirectly benefitted. SHARP will continue to carry out these operations to the best of their ability diligently, efficiently and effectively fully co-operating with the staff of the Japanese Embassy and all other agencies to completely justify the funds provided and fulfil the desires of the sponsors. The heartfelt gratitude and thanks of all members of SHARP is conveyed to Ambassador Hideaki, all GGP staff members of the Japan Embassy and the people of Japanfor their unstinted support by sponsoring SHARP, and more so ever for Japan Embassy being in the forefront of demining activities in Sri Lanka and their continuous concern and assistance for the well-being of the people,” Major Gen. (Retd) Mr. Sumathi Ranjan Balasuriya said.
