SL Police gets Rs.340mn Japanese grant to reinforce anti-narcotic activities

Japanese Ambassador Sugiyama Akira and Finance, Economic and Policy Development Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle at signing of Exchange of Notes

Based on a request by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), the Government of Japan has agreed to provide a Japanese yen 200 million (approx. Rs.340 million) grant, under the Japanese non-project grant aid scheme, for provision of the necessary equipment to strengthen the investigation and detection capacities of drugs and related anti-narcotic activities of Sri Lanka Police. 

The Exchange of Notes pertaining to the above grant were signed by Finance, Economic and Policy Development Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle, on behalf of the GoSL and Japanese Ambassador Sugiyama Akira, at the Finance, Economic and Policy Development Ministry. 

The prevalence of drug-related activities in Sri Lanka has increased in the recent past and it has been recognised as an emerging social problem in the country. 

As a remedial action for controlling the situation, Sri Lanka Police has identified the necessity of modern equipment to detect large-scale drug trafficking activities and the individuals under the influence of dangerous drugs. 

JICA Sri Lanka Office Chief Representative Fusato Tanaka and Finance, Economic and Policy Development Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle exchange agreement 

Japan provides JDS scholarships worth Rs.463mn to Lanka public officials

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) yesterday signed a grant agreement amounting to Japanese yen 269 million (approx. Rs.463 million), under the project for Human Resource Development (JDS). 

The agreement was signed by JICA Sri Lanka Office Chief Representative Fusato Tanaka and Finance, Economic and Policy Development Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle. 
Accordingly, 15 talented government officials are expected to receive full-time scholarships for master’s degree, besides two officers for doctoral studies in reputed Japanese universities, by the end of the year 2021.

“Through professional engagements we expect that JDS fellows will expand their leadership skills, stimulating economic development between Sri Lanka and Japan in consolidating bilateral relations, by actively involved in networking with Japanese partner organisations as well as public and private sector, who see JDS fellows as strong envoys in strengthening Sri Lanka-Japan relationship,” said Tanaka. 

With the introduction in 2010 for the GoSL, becoming one of the largest and popular scholarship programmes among government officials, JDS has already accepted 171 officials for master’s and doctoral degree courses in areas of public policy and finance, economics, business management, disaster management and climate change. 

After returning to Sri Lanka, officials are actively involved in planning and execution of development policies by making the most of their experience and human network 
in Japan.

Renowned for its well-planned implementation measures outfitting to country’s authentic needs, JDS implements a preparatory survey at the preliminary stage, incorporating the country’s implementation policy, priority field of study, local procedures and human resource development strategy into programme design.

At the implementation stage, its special features include academic exchanges such as immersion and exposure to various technical fields in Japan while the participants will also be able to understand Japanese society and business culture, learn common interests and work towards common goals, creating a system for strengthening relations between participating countries, especially Sri Lanka-Japan. 

Besides JDS, JICA has been assisting the government of Sri Lanka to implement a human resource development strategy via inviting more than 100 government officials for short-term training in Japan, under the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Programmes annually from the relevant ministries, including JICA’s technical cooperation project counterparts for necessary technical transfers. 

Signing was joined by External Resources Department Director General Ajith Abeysekera.