Japan grants Rs. 15 M for four waste collection trucks for Jaffna

The Japanese government had extended a grant of US$ 83,432 (Rs. 15 million) for a project to provide second hand waste collection trucks to Jaffna through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), a statement said. The grant contract was signed on March 19 at the Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo between Ambassador of Japan Akira Sugiyama and Jaffna mayor E.arnold. Through the project, Jaffna Municipal Council will receive four waste collection compactor trucks from Japan to improve the hygienic environment.the Society for Promotion of Japanese Diplomacy (SPJD) is to coordinate the donation of reconditioned waste collection trucks from Japan to Sri Lanka. In Jaffna, with its rapidly growing population, 70 mt. of solid waste is produced per day. However, due to shortage of waste collection trucks around 20 mt. of waste is left without being collected, which severely affects the environment and public health in the municipal area.this project is expected to address this urgent need by enhancing the garbage collecting capacity of the Jaffna Municipal Council. Commenting on the provision of this grant, Mayor Arnold stated “it is with great pleasure that I sign the Grant Contract on behalf of the people of Jaffna. I would like to express our gratitude and thanks for the magnanimous grant of four waste collection compactor trucks from Japan.this is a timely and helpful gift for the people of Jaffna to keep the city clean and tidy.the civil strife which lasted for the last three decades caused tremendous hardships for the people of Jaffna. However, this was reduced after the cessation of the war and the remarkable development taking place with the support of the government and other foreign countries.