Japan-UNDP sign agreement to assist resettlement in NorthEast

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 March 2008, 01:14 GMT]
Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, during a meeting held on Tuesday at the office of the Sri Lanka's Nation Building Plantation Infrastructure Ministry said, to promote peace efforts in Sri Lanka, the Government of Japan is ready to provide the much needed assistance to the conflict-affected people of the north and east to enjoy the fruits of peace.

The agreement between the Government of Japan and the United Nation Development Programme (U.N.D.P) with the objective of implementing livelihood projects for war affected people of the north and east was signed at the event.

"The Government of Japan has been assisting the implementation of several infrastructure development activities in Sri Lanka benefiting all communities, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. Japan has been extending wholehearted support to peace efforts. Japan is continuing its support to de-mining programme in the north and east. This project is directly connected with the resettlement of displaced people in their areas," Japanese Ambassador said.

"The other urgent need is to provide livelihood facilities to resettled people. The need is felt now in the eastern province. And also it is vital to ensure there would be no more conflict in the east region in the future.

"The livelihood programme now being supported by the Government of Japan is targeted to empower people engaged in agriculture, fishing and other traditional occupations. This project would certainly help the resettled people," the Ambassador added.