Colombo, Sri Lanka - The government of Japan has extended a grant assistance of approximately Rs.770 million to Sri Lanka, with the aim of supporting two key projects in the country.
The grant, offered under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme, will provide significant financial assistance to the fisheries sector and the Meteorology Department. The larger portion of the grant, amounting to around Rs.435 million, will be allocated to the fisheries industry. This funding will be used to enhance the industry's capabilities by providing supportive equipment.
The objective is to develop cold chain facilities and equip the fisheries sector with modern electronic equipment. This will enable the production of high value-added marine products and improve the living standards of fishermen in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. As part of this grant assistance, the fisheries industry will receive ice making machines, digital platform scales, sets of fishing nets, refrigerator trucks, and prefabricated refrigerators/freezers. These resources will help address the existing constraints in the value chain and increase competitiveness by encouraging private sector investments in the fisheries industry.
The second portion of the grant, totaling approximately Rs.355 million, will be utilized to upgrade the institutional capabilities of the Meteorology Department. The focus will be on forecasting weather conditions accurately and disseminating weather information effectively. The supplementary grant, extended through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will enable Sri Lanka to acquire a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).
This essential equipment will ensure reliable data communication, particularly during severe disaster situations that can disrupt conventional communication methods due to extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains, lightning, and landslides.
The grant assistance from Japan is expected to have a significant impact on the development of Sri Lanka's fisheries sector and the enhancement of the country's meteorological capabilities. It will contribute to the overall economic growth and well-being of the nation
