Japan grants $4m to buy diesel for state hospitals

COLOMBO: Japan has granted 46 million US dollars to Sri Lanka for the purchase of 20 million litres of diesel for public hospitals in the crisis-hit island nation.

A statement from the president’s office said that an exchange of notes was signed by Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena and Ambassador of Japan Mizukoshi Hideaki to secure the grant.

The grant will be used to purchase fuel to be distributed among state sector hospitals throughout the country, the statement said.

The singing ceremony took place in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who since his appointment has expressed interest in improving Sri Lanka’s ties with Japan.

“This humanitarian assistance will aid Sri Lanka in providing sustainable medical services amid the current economic crisis,” the statement said.