Press Releases

The Government of Japan has provided grant aid of JPY 282 million (approx. LKR 591 million) for the Human Resource Development Scholarship (known as JDS). This project aims to train young, promising administrative officers in the public sector at various universities in Japan and develop their knowledge and skills to be future national leaders in their respective fields. Under the project, 15 public sector officials will be sent to pursue a 2-year Master’s degree program commencing in 2027. Their research areas vary from Public Policy, International Relations and International Development, Macroeconomics, Public Finance and Investment Management, to Industry Development Policy and Investment Promotion.

On 17th August, H.E. Mr. Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan, and Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, signed and exchanged notes in Colombo on this grant assistance.

Since its inception in 2010, the JDS project has supported 254 public sector officials from Sri Lanka. The project will contribute not only to enhancing individual capacities but also to improving the institutional capacity of the public sector, thereby supporting sound and sustainable development of Sri Lanka.

JDS fellows are also expected to further strengthen the foundation of bilateral relations with Japan as bridges between both countries by utilizing the human network they built through academic and social activities while in Japan.

With the signing of the Exchange of Notes today, Japan renews its commitment to assisting human resource development in Sri Lanka and hopes that the project will further energize and solidify the bilateral relations between the two countries.

On 24th July, the Governments of Sri Lanka and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations by signing agreements to continue the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme, which supports the professional development of young executive-level officials in Sri Lanka’s public service."

Under the initiative, the Government of Japan has allocated JPY 332 million (approximately Rs. 687 million) for this year’s programme. The JDS Programme, funded through Japan’s Official Development Assistance and implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), offers scholarships for postgraduate studies in Japan. Since its inception in 2010, the programme has awarded 240 Master’s and 16 PhD scholarships to Sri Lankan executive-level officials.
Currently in its Fourth Framework (2022–2025), the JDS Programme is expected to contribute to Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. The Government of Sri Lanka views this initiative as a key investment in public sector capacity-building and a cornerstone of the long-standing partnership with Japan.

The Exchange of Notes between the Governments of Sri Lanka and Japan, along with a Grant Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and JICA, was signed on 24th July 2025 at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The documents were signed by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and His Excellency Mr. ISOMATA Akio, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Government of Japan; and Mr. KURONUMA Kenji, Chief Representative of JICA, on behalf of JICA.

Assistance from Government of India for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka endured one of the most devastating disasters in recent decades as a result of Cyclone Ditwah, which struck in late November 2025. As per the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) conducted by the Department of National Planning together with the Disaster Management Center (DMC), the disaster caused approximately United States Dollars (USD) 2.1 billion in damage, USD 1.4 billion in economic losses and estimated recovery needs amount to USD 3.5 billion. The government of India assisted the disaster relief actions of Sri Lanka under its “Operation Sagar Bandhu”.

During the visit of Hon. Minister of External Affairs of India on December 22, 2025 the Hon. Minister has announced the Government of India’s commitment to provide additional assistance to Sri Lanka as a disaster relief package under “Operation Sagar Bandhu.” The total value of this package is USD 450 million. Of this amount USD 350 million will be provided as Line of Credits and the balance USD 100 million will be provided as a grant.

The loan of USD 350 million will be extended through two Lines of Credit (LOCs), namely Long-Term Line of Credit and Short-Term Line of Credit. The Long- Term Line of Credit will be utilized to finance activities related to infrastructure, connectivity, and development cooperation. In particular, it has been proposed that the loan be utilized for the reconstruction of the up-country railway line which was significantly damaged as a result of the disaster. An amount of Indian Rupees 2400 crores (approximately USD 250 million) has been allocated for these projects. The Short-Term Line of Credit will be utilized to finance the procurement of Essential commodities, including health, Agriculture and any other sectors mutually agreed upon by the Government of India and Government of Sri Lanka. A total amount of Indian Rupees 950 crores (approximately USD 100 million) has been allocated for the Short-Term Line of Credit.

Upon completion of the required regulatory procedures relating to the Lines of Credit (LOCs), the Loan Agreements were signed by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and Mr. Vikramaditya Ugra, Chief General Manager of the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank of India), on behalf of the Government of India. An official Ceremony for the exchange of the singed Loan Agreements was held on 05 August 2026 at the Presidential Secretariat.

The conclusion of the bilateral Agreements will certainly pave the way to developing further the deep and longstanding bilateral relationships between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka.

Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

Colombo 01

On August 05, 2026

At the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance amounting to Japanese Yen one thousand and Six hundred million (approximately LKR 3.3 billion) under the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme, considering the requirements of diversified fields namely marine environment, healthcare, vocational training and fishing.

The Exchange of Notes pertaining to the above grant were signed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies, Mr. K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka, Mr. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki on March 18, 2024.
The following activities will be implemented under the above grant assistance.

a) Provision of four vessels for oil boom with the necessary accessories, a generator, and a cargo truck with a crane for improving oil spill response and management of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard;

b) Provision of portable ultrasonic scanners, gynecological examination tables, a laparoscopic system, mammography, fetal heart raters, and infant warmers for improving the maternal and pediatric care in Northern Province and industrial sewing machines, zigzag (industrial) machines, overclock (5 thread) machines, and button holder (5 thread, industrial) machines for dressmaker courses at vocational training centers in Northern Province;

c) Provision of a petrol boat, a rigid-hull inflatable boat, lighted buoys, and HG radio transceivers, for ensuring the safety of fishermen in Northern and Eastern provinces;

The Agent Agreements for the procurement of equipment and implementation of above projects were signed between Mr. Ajith Abeysekera, Director General, Department of External Resources on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and Mr. NOMURA Tetsuya, Project Manager, Japan International Cooperation System (JICS), on April 24, 2024, at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies.

Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies
Colombo 01
On April 24, 2024