News

Japan provides new Grant assistance for demining

Published

1 year ago

August 15, 2023

editor

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

Ambassador Mizukoshi 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 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.

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

Commenting on the provision of this grant, Major Gen. (retd) Mr. Sumathi Ranjan Balasuriya stated;

“SHARP is most grateful to and deeply appreciative of the Japanese Embassy for the trust and confidence placed in SHARP by being the sole donor to SHARP continuously for 6 years, from its inception to initially commencing the demining operations in 2016, and thereafter until 2021. As of July 2023, , in support of grant assistance from the Government of Japan, SHARP has cleared a total of 2,414,199 Sq Mtrs and recovered 11,471 anti-personnel mines, 168 anti-tank mines, 4,166 UXOs and over 19,647 SAA with over 2,596 families or 10,300 individuals directly and indirectly benefitted. This accounts for over 90% of the total cleared lands by SHARP.”

“SHARP will continue to carry out our operations to the best of our ability diligently, efficiently and effectively fully cooperating with the Japanese Embassy and all other agencies to completely justify the funds provided and fulfil the desires of our sponsors.”

“The heartfelt gratitude and thanks of all members of SHARP is conveyed to His Excellency Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, all GGP staff members of the Japanese Embassy and most of all the people of Japan, for their unstinted support by sponsoring SHARP, and more so ever for the Embassy of Japan being in the forefront of supporting demining activities in Sri Lanka and their continuous commitment, cooperation and assistance for the well-being of the people of our country.”

News

Sri Lanka signs agreement for Hajj – 2025

Published

58 minutes ago

January 15, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka signed the agreement for the Hajj pilgrimage – 2025 on 11 January 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The agreement was signed by the Sri Lankan delegation headed by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, Dr. Sunil Senevi, and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat.

This agreement demonstrates the commitment of both governments to enhancing the pilgrimage experience for Sri Lankan Muslims. Minister Senevi is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

During the bilateral meeting which preceded the signing of the agreement, Minister Senevi emphasized the focus of the Government of Sri Lanka on improving the Hajj experience for its citizens, and shared plans for streamlining Hajj operations in the future, aiming for a smoother and more efficient pilgrimage process.

Minister Senevi is also scheduled to meet with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah and engage with Hajj service providers. The delegation will also visit Madinah, holy Prophet’s city, as well as important cultural sites in Jeddah and Madinah. Further, the Minister engaged in interactions with the Sri Lankan community in Jeddah.

The Sri Lankan delegation includes Deputy Minister of National Integration, Muneer Mulaffar, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, M.R.M. Nawas, Acting Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah, Mafusa Lafir and Hajj Coordinator, Dr. M.N.M. Ahsraff.

News

Talks between Xi – AKD commences (Video / Pics)

Published

1 hour ago

January 15, 2025

editor

The official meeting between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced a short while ago at at 05.00 pm Chinese time at the Great Hall of the People.

It is also expected that several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed following bilateral discussions between the two Presidents.

Previously, preparations made for a special welcome ceremony for visiting Sri Lankan President, the official meeting and signing ceremony are as follows :

(Video : CCTV +)

(Pics: PMD)

News

Photo of illuminated Sigiriya, fake – Ministry

Published

2 hours ago

January 15, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has refuted reports of opening the historic Sigiriya rock fortress for tourists for night visits.

In a statement, the ministry has said that no decision has been taken to open the Sigiriya rock fortress for foreigners during night time.

The statement further noted that an image of an illuminated Sigiriya rock during night time, which has been making rounds on social media, is also fake.

The statement comes after it was previously reported that the Ministry of Tourism had decided to open the historic Sigiriya rock fortress for tourists on moonlit nights.

It was reported that the programme called ‘Sigiriya in Moon’ will be implemented for five days a month ; two days prior to the full moon day, on the full moon day, and two days after.