Japan grants USD 5 million

(March 27, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Government of Japan has extended USD 5 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support a Livelihood Development Programme in the North and the East.

According to the UNDP statement, the funds would be channelled through the UNDP's Transition Recovery Programme, and could enhance the livelihood of approximately 100,000 people living in the North and the East.

The livelihood development programme endeavours to support traditionally productive sectors which were damaged in the conflict, such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock and small industries. It would also promote alternative income sources and related skills development for small groups or communities. Further, it would construct livelihood-related community infrastructure such as access and transportation, roads, marketing centres and water and sanitation systems.

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is doubling its funding for the Southern Expressway, which connects Colombo with the Southern Province. Earlier, the ADB agreed to grant USD 90 million for the said project.

The additional funding would now reach the total to USD 180 million to build a super highway with four lanes to Southern Province, which would connect Colombo, Galle and Matara with the economic objective of developing the Southern Province and enhancing the connectivity.

The other leading financiers of the highway project are the Government of Sri Lanka, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, the Nordic Development Fund and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

- Sri Lanka Guardian