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”.
Seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (May 15) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The new ambassadors represent the State of Israel, the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Denmark.
The new diplomats who presented their credentials are as follows :
– Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Argentine Republic, based in New Delhi. – Ms. Stella Nkomo has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, based in New Delhi. – Mr. Reuven Javier Azar has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the State of Israel, based in New Delhi. – Ms. Nina P. Cringlet has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Philippines, based in Dhaka. – Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Tajikistan, based in New Delhi. – Ms. Rath Many has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, based in New Delhi. – Mr. Rasmus Kristensen has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Denmark, based in New Delhi.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the occasion. (President’s Media Division)
A special ‘Dansala’ was held at the Maharagama Youth Services Council premises from 7:00 a.m. yesterday (May 13) to mark Vesak Poya Day.
Unlike traditional ‘dansal’ that offer food, this unique initiative provided a host of free beauty care and advisory services for both women and men, including haircuts, head massages, eyebrow shaping, facials, under-eye treatments, and skin analysis.
This event attracted over 5,000 participants who received professional grooming and skincare advice in a Vesak-themed setting.
Present at the event were Deputy Youth Affairs Minister Eranga Gunasekara, NYSC Chairman and Director-General of Youth Affairs Attorney Supun Wijerathna, MP Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Maharagama Mayor Saman Samarakoon, and Colombo Mayoral candidate Vraie Cally Balthazaar, among others.