The two projects are: "The Project for Demining in the Northern and North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka", implemented by Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony Sri Lanka (DASH) with a sum of US$ 634,860 (approximately Rs.90 million) and "The Project for Humanitarian Mine Action in Mannar and Landmine Survey in Northern and Eastern Provinces", implemented by Mines Advisory Group (MAG) with sum of US$ 603,143 (approximately Rs.87 million).
The two projects are expected to contribute to expedite the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to make mine contaminated areas safe lands for people to return and resume their livelihoods.
Japan has been a major donor supporting mine clearance in Sri Lanka to accelerate the return and resettlement of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) and to facilitate recommencement of agriculture and other livelihood activities of returnees. Since 2003, the Government of Japan has provided a sum of US$ 28 million for demining activities in the North and the East under its Grant Assistance schemes.
The two Grant Contracts were signed between Ambassador of Japan Kenichi Suganuma, and Programme Manager of DASH Ananda Chandrasiri for the first project and Regional Programme Officer of MAG Ms. Bethan Davies for the second project, on 1st March 2016 at Embassy of Japan in Colombo.
