Japan Grants US$ 447K (Rs. 148 Mn) for Northern Province Demining 📈

• Funding & Agreement: Japan signed a grant contract of US$ 447,432 (~Rs. 148 million) under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) scheme to support humanitarian demining in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. The grant was signed on 29 September 2026 by Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata and SHARP Program Manager Sarath Jayawardhana. • Project Impact & Scope: Implemented by the Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP), the project will clear over 190,000 sq metres of landmine-contaminated land. This will facilitate the return of 7,000+ people to their lands and allow ~11,500 local residents to expand their economic activities. • Long-Term Support & Cumulative Aid: Japan has been a key partner in post-conflict recovery, extending over US$ 50 million in demining assistance to Sri Lanka since 2002. SHARP acknowledged Japan as its sole funder from 2016 to 2021 and its primary donor since 2022. • Economic Strategic Context: Japanese Ambassador Isomata emphasized a holistic approach to bridge regional economic gaps for sustainable national development. He called on stakeholders, civil society, the private sector, and the diaspora to broaden support for demining and economic expansion in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.