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Japan to extend its support to humanitarian demining activities in Northern Province
Ambassador of Japan – Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki, today (Aug. 22) signed the grant contracts of two demining projects under the scheme of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”, with Major Gen. (retd) Mr. Sumathi Ranjan Balasuriya, Director & Field Reporting Officer of the Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP) and Mr. Ananda Chandrasiri, Director & Program Manager of the Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH).
The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of US$ 1,007,194 (approx. Rs. 300 million) for these two projects with SHARP and the DASH to extend its support for humanitarian demining activities in the Northern province of Sri Lanka. Japan has been a major donor in demining activities in Sri Lanka since 2002, and the total amount of assistance exceeds USD 46 million.
It is expected that these projects by SHARP and DASH will together contribute to resettlement and livelihood support for a total of 6,304 beneficiaries in the Northern province.
The development of the conflict-affected areas is one of the priority areas of Japan’s official development assistance policy to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Mizukoshi strongly reiterated that the Government of Japan had committed itself in its role as a leading donor in demining activities and would continue to provide the necessary support to achieve “Mine-Impact-Free Sri Lanka.”
Commenting on the provision of this grant, Mr. Sumathi Ranjan Balasuriya, Director & Field Reporting Officer of SHARP, stated;
“SHARP is most grateful to and deeply appreciative of the Japanese Embassy for the trust and confidence placed in SHARP since the commencement of its demining operations in 2016 to date.
As of July 2024, in support of grant assistance from the Government of Japan, SHARP has cleared a total of 2,846,650㎡ and recovered 11,889 anti-personnel mines, 169 anti-tank mines, 4,666 Unexploded Ordnance and over 57,773 Small Arms Ammunition with over 3,318 families directly and indirectly benefitted. Japan’s assistance 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 co-operating with the Embassy of Japan and all other agencies to completely justify the funds provided and fulfil the desires of our sponsors.
The heartfelt gratitude and thanks from all members of SHARP is conveyed to all the people of Japan, for their unstinting support for SHARP, and more so ever for the Embassy of Japan being in the forefront of demining activities in Sri Lanka and their continuous concern, cooperation and assistance for the well-being of the people of Sri Lanka.”Mr. Ananda Chandrasiri, Director & Program Manager of DASH, stated;
“It has been a precious assistance extended by Japan to Sri Lanka throughout their cohesive friendship over 7 decades. Japan has been a major supporter to the national mine action program of Sri Lanka from its inception in 2002, and it was with the funding assistance of Japan our organization DASH, commenced its operations in 2010. We are very grateful to Japan and her people.
As of August 2024, in support of grant assistance from the Government of Japan, DASH has cleared a total of 7,546,161㎡ and recovered 55,907 anti-personnel mines, 113 anti-tank mines, 14,073 Unexploded Ordnance and over 77,004 Small Arms Ammunition with directly and indirectly 110,842 people benefitted.
A lesser-known tragedy that resulted from the 26-year protracted internal conflict of Sri Lanka from 1983 has been landmine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) contamination in the northern areas. Although a large part of it has been cleared by now, it will take a few more years to make Sri Lanka mine and ERW-free. The clearance undertaken by the Japan-funded DASH project has strongly contributed to re-establish the safety and sustainable economy for the resettled people and infrastructure development of their areas”.
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Marine Drive tree planting project held (Pics)
In line with World Environment Day, a tree planting and conservation project was launched this morning (5) along the coastal stretch of Colombo’s Marine Drive, from the Kollupitiya Railway Station towards Wellawatte. The initiative is being implemented by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat Office.
Marking the commencement of the project, 1,600 Takkada (Scaevola taccada) saplings were planted today, with plans to expand the number to 6,000 in the near future. The project is being carried out with participation from state institutions, private organisations and the general public.
The Takkada plant, which includes two species highly resistant to saline environments, is listed as a threatened species on the Red Data List. The Scaevola taccada species planted today typically grows as a shrub reaching heights of 5 to 6 feet. Its dense green foliage and compact height make it ideal for urban settings, enhancing cityscapes with both environmental and aesthetic value.
This initiative is being carried out with the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Police (Environmental and Traffic Divisions), Sri Lanka Railways, Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority and the Colombo Municipal Council. It is sponsored by LB Finance PLC and Hemsandu Marketing Company.
The event was attended by Colombo Municipal Councillor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) G.M.R.D. Appuhamy, along with representatives from the sponsoring organisations and other distinguished guests.
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China donates 05 dragon boats to Sri Lanka (Pics)
The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has donated five 12-person international-standard dragon boats to the Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The donation was formally made on May 31 at the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival China-Sri Lanka Friendship Cup Dragon Boat Championship.
The championship was held at the Diyawanna Oya Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL) Rowing Center. Participants included school teams, university crews, clubs, members of the tri-forces, as well as Chinese teams. It was notable that the event also featured 05 teams from Jaffna.
The regatta was hosted by Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Sri Lanka, and co-organized by National Association for Canoeing and Kayaking in Sri Lanka, CICT (Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd.), Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association and Chinese Chamber Of Commerce In Sri Lanka.
Expressing gratitude for the donation, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – S.K. Gamage said, “This is not merely a sports event, it is a powerful symbol of friendship, culture, and cooperation between our two nations.”
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong said the championship was “a new starting point to further deepen sports and cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka and to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples.”
Rear Admiral HNS Perera, President of the National Association for Canoeing and Kayaking in Sri Lanka, described the event as a bridge between tradition and modernity.
Sri Lanka Navy and Visakha Vidyalaya powered their way to victory by clinching the top honours in the Men’s and Women’s Open Championships. Visakha Vidyalaya also grabbed the top spot in the Junior Girls’ final.
The Junior Boys’ final saw Thambaddy GTMV from Jaffna winning the gold medal, ahead of J/Delft M.V and D.S. Senanayake College Colombo.
In the Masters Women’s race, Ceylong team took top spot, while Wave Breakers and Pink Dragon followed closely.
The University of Sabaragamuwa won the Mixed Category final, pushing Chinese Team 03 and Chinese Team 01 to second and third places.
(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)
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SL Parliamentary delegation’s orientation programme in India, ends (Pics)
A Parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka, led by Deputy Speaker Hon. Dr. Rizvie Salih visited India from 25-31 May 2025. The delegation comprised 20 Members of Parliament (MP) representing various political parties and 4 officials of the Sri Lankan Parliament, including the Secretary General.
The delegation was the inaugural batch to undergo Orientation Programme at India’s Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in New Delhi. This is pursuant to the announcement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, offering 700 customised training slots annually for Sri Lankan professionals.
The visiting delegation called on the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla. Underscoring the historical friendship between India and Sri Lanka, the Speaker thanked the Sri Lankan Parliamentary Delegation for expressing its solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also received the delegation and reiterated India’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s development and progress under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision.
Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih and other distinguished delegates from Sri Lanka thanked the Government of India for the unconditional assistance rendered to Sri Lanka over decades. They also sought deeper and closer collaboration with India in several spheres, including Parliamentary exchanges, trade, technology and tourism.
Under the Orientation Programme, the delegation had interactive sessions on legislative and budgetary processes, system of Parliamentary Committees and other related matters between the two democracies. Several senior MPs, Parliamentary officials, Media persons shared insights on the Indian Polity with the Sri Lankan delegation. While in India, participants also had the opportunity to experience the transformation underway in the Indian economy, particularly on the Digital Public Infrastructure & urban mobility through visits to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Delhi Metro Railway Corporation and DLF IT Park. The delegation also had first-hand experience of the ongoing R&D projects in the realm of energy sector at IIT Delhi.
As part of the cultural immersion, the delegation visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site Taj Mahal, Agra and also enjoyed the Sound & Light Show on History of India at Red Fort, New Delhi.
It may be recalled that re-establishment of India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Sri Lankan Parliament in early May 2025 witnessed the participation of scores of MPs across party lines. The visit as well as the strong turnout at the above events are symbolic of the democratic values and traditions that bind the people of the two countries.
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