Japan Provides Grant of 300 Million Yen to Improve Waste Management Infrastructure under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Program
• Sri Lanka Attracts Global Investments Due to On-going Anti-Corruption Measures
– Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sayama (Ikuina) Akiko, Commends Sri Lanka’s Reforms
The Government of Japan has extended a grant of 300 million Japanese Yen (approximately LKR 565 million) to Sri Lanka to enhance waste management infrastructure facilities under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Program.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the grant was signed today (03) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The agreement was signed by Ms. SAYAMA (IKUINA) Akiko, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan, and Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana.
This grant will enhance the waste management capacity of local government authorities in the Western, Northern, and Eastern Provinces by funding to procure 28 garbage compactors, strengthening the country’s waste transport capacity. The allocation of vehicles will be as follows: Western Province – 14 trucks, Eastern Province – 8 trucks, and Northern Province – 6 trucks.
Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, SAYAMA, stated that the current government’s anti-corruption initiatives have attracted the country’s global appeal for investment. She made these remarks with President Disanayake while reaffirming Japan’s commitment to further supporting Sri Lanka’s development efforts.
The Government of Japan also expressed willingness to continue assisting Sri Lanka in its anti-corruption measures and broader governance reforms. During the discussion, Vice Minister SAYAMA delivered a goodwill message to President Anura Kumara Disanayake from the Prime Minister of Japan.
President Disanayake expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government for its ongoing cooperation and highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two nations. He assured Sri Lanka would continue upholding its anti-corruption policies without compromise and emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency and good governance.
The President also thanked Japan for resuming previously halted Japan-funded projects in Sri Lanka and acknowledged Japan’s support in debt restructuring.
President Disanayake also expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government for providing employment opportunities to many Sri Lankan expatriates and requested the Japanese government to provide further assistance in developing those opportunities. Additionally, he asked for Japan’s assistance in implementing a project to improve Sri Lanka’s public transportation system through Japanese aid.
The event was graced by several high-ranking officials, including Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister Economic Development, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President – along with H.E. Mr. ISOMATA Akio, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Mr. SAITO Jun, Secretary to Hon. IKUINA, MOFA, Mr. MUROTANI Masakatsu, Director, Southwest Asia Division, MOFA, Ms. HIROSE Akiko, Director, Country Assistance Planning Division II, MOFA and Mr. IWASE Kiichiro, Deputy Director, Southwest Asia Division, MOFA.