On Oct. 29, 2026, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka – Akio Isomata signed a grant contract for the establishment of a local products manufacturing and sales centre in Mannar district under the scheme of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP).” GGP is a financial support scheme based on the concept of “human security,” which Japan adopts as an important pillar of its diplomacy and which aims to protect and empower individuals, especially the vulnerable, to live in dignity and free from fear and want. The contract was signed with Mr. Shardkunniyamoorthy Kamalamoorthy, the Secretary of Sivanarul Hope.

The Government of Japan is providing USD 97,371 (approx. LKR 32 million) for this project, which aims to establish a centre for manufacturing and selling local products in Mannar District, Northern Province. Through this initiative, women in the region, whose livelihoods currently rely on unstable income from the primary industries, will acquire skills in crafting handicrafts using materials from local palmyra trees. This will enable them to access more stable income opportunities and to strengthen their financial independence.Commenting on Japan’s assistance to the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including the project signed, Ambassador ISOMATA remarked: “Assistance to the Northern and Eastern Provinces is given a priority in Japan’s development assistance to the country. Based upon the view that national reconciliation and economic development are closely inter-related, Japan has continuously provided support to these provinces through various cooperation schemes, in a variety of areas such as infrastructure, basic human needs, agriculture, fisheries, empowerment of women as well as demining. For demining alone, the total amount of Japan’s assistance up until today reaches over 50 million USD.”Commenting on the receipt of this grant assistance, Mr. Shardkunniyamoorthy Kamalamoorthy, Secretary of Sivanarul Hope, stated, “Sivanarul Hope warmly thanks the Government and people of Japan for their generous support through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects. The grant will support the establishment of a Local Products Manufacturing and Sales Centre in Mannar, strengthening the Palms Together programme and its work with women artisans in the North and East. We are deeply grateful to the Embassy of Japan for its confidence in this project.”

Since 1989, Japan has been providing a total of USD 65 million in assistance to Sri Lanka through the GGP (Grant Assistance for Grassroots Project) scheme.