Japan donates Rs. 3.7 M to Colombo F.I.N Society
The Government of Japan has extended a US$28,501 (approximately Rs. 3.7 million) grant in order to expand the capacity to supply artificial limbs by providing equipment to the workshops as a social welfare project under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP), a spokesman for the Japanese government said recently.
The Project called “Developing the Setting Workshops to Manufacture Artificial Limbs and Appliances in Colombo” would be implemented by the Colombo Friend-inNeed Society, which had provided artificial limbs for the rehabilitation of around 1,000 people annually, to help them to reintegrate into society and improve their social environment.
Ms. Kalayani Ranasinghe, President of Colombo Friend-inNeed Society, speaking during the ceremony to sign the agreement, said “this year the Colombo Friend-in-Need Society is celebrating 180 years of service to the nation and we are extremely grateful for such a magnanimous gesture by the Japanese government at this time. This project aims to replace the old equipment that is being used to fabricate artificial limbs with new ones so that the
Japan and Sri Lanka celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year
products that come out of our workshop would be of better quality and durability.”
Japan and Sri Lanka celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. During the last 6 decades, Japan and Sri Lanka have maintained strong mutual partnerships. Japan has been a strong partner in Sri Lanka’s social and economic development, in the form of grants, Yen loans and technical cooperation mainly by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japan hopes that this assistance would further increase the cooperative ties between the people of Japan and Sri Lanka, a statement said.
The Grant Contract between Nobuhito Hobo, Ambassador of Japan and Kalayani Ranasinghe, the President of Colombo Friend-in-Need Society was signed on August 8 at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo.