Press Releases
Japan Provides Human Resources Development Scholarships for the Sri Lankan Public Sector
Japan Provides Human Resources Development Scholarships for the
Sri Lankan Public Sector
The Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme was introduced in Sri Lanka in 2010 by the Government of Japan in order to provide opportunities to the executive level public sector officials to undergo Master Degree Programmes in prominent universities in Japan.
Accordingly, the First Framework (2010-2013) and the Second Framework (2014-2017) of this programme were successfully completed in 2013 and 2017 respectively. The Third Framework (2018–2021) was started in 2018 to continue this programme for a further period of four years. After considering the necessity of further career development of JDS fellows, the Government of Japan has agreed to offer a scholarship for PhD programmes at most 2 slots per batch. Accordingly, altogether 165 (15 per year) opportunities for Master Degree Programmes and 06 opportunities for PhD programmes have been provided under this scholarship programme.
The selection process of the Third batch of the Third Framework has already been completed and the selected officials are scheduled to commence their studies in September 2020. In order to facilitate these officials, the Government of Japan has agreed to offer a grant assistance of Japanese Yen 269 million (approximately Rs. 457 million) to Sri Lanka in 2020.
The Government of Sri Lanka expects that the public officers who will be benefited under this programme will contribute to the social and economic development of the country in a productive manner with self–confidence and also contribute to strengthening the existing bilateral relationship between two countries
Two Exchange of Notes between the two Governments and Grant Agreements between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the JICA for the implementation of the Human Resources Development Scholarship Programme was signed on 13th July 2020 at the Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development. Relevant documents were signed between Mr. S R Attygalle, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Akira Sugiyama, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government of Japan and Mr Fusato Tanaka, Chief Representative of JICA on behalf of the JICA.
13 .07.2020
Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development
Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project – USD 128.6 million
In response to the increasing COVID 19 incidence in the country, the Government of Sri Lanka has initiated urgent and effective measures to slow the spread of the virus by testing and treating patients, contact tracing of those found positive, limiting travel, mandatory quarantine for anyone coming from countries affected by COVID-19, closing borders to prevent transmission from further travelers, canceling large gatherings and creating awareness.
In view of the exigency of battling the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the International Development Association (IDA) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) of the World Bank Group agreed to provide financing assistance amounting to United States Dollars (USD) 128.6 million. These funds will be mobilized through the Government Budget during the period from 2020 to 2023.
The project will focus on limiting local transmission of COVID-19 by strengthening capacities of the health system for contact tracing, case finding, confirmation, reporting, and responding to surge capacity through trained and well-equipped health workers and medical officers of health and primary health doctors and equipped facilities, strengthening Surveillance and Response Systems, strengthening health care facilities capacity for emergency response, improving community engagement and risk communication and provision of social and financial support to households.
Further the project will support the strengthening of national and sub-national institutions for prevention and preparedness through strengthening the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), establishment and strengthening of subnational emergency operation centers, the establishment of Bio-Safety Level (BSL) 3 laboratory facilities at the National Medical Research Institute (MRI) and strengthening laboratory facilities and information systems.
The signing of the agreements of Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project took place on April 03, 2020, and Mr. S R Attygalle, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development, and Ms. Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, Country Director of the World Bank signed the agreements on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and the World Bank, respectively.
Ministry of Finance, Economic and Policy Development
April 03, 2020
Rehabilitation of the A017 Road Corridor from Deniyaya to Rakwana Project funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID)
Rehabilitation of the A017 Road Corridor from Deniyaya to Rakwana is very important in the national road network improvement. This rehabilitation Project is phased out in two stages whereas Stage I from Suriyakanda to Rakwana (about 18 km) and Stage II from Deniyaya to Suriyakanda (35km). By way of the overall objective of first phase of the project providing access to Suriyakanda with improved transport infrastructure, as it is an important trade hub, with very limited connectivity. This road rehabilitation project will provide links to three 'A' class roads and to ten 'B' class roads by rehabilitating of 18.0 km of a critical section of Rakwana Deniyaya road connecting the Southern Province to the Sabaragamuwa Province. This will improve the road network connectivity, reduce vehicle operating costs, enhance highway capacity and level of service, thus promoting economic activity and contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the country.
In this context, the OFID has agreed to provide a loan of USD 40.0 million in support of the above project and the balance USD 11.75 million will be borne by the GOSL. The OFID is our long term development partner since its establishment in 1976 and has extended fourteen loans to Sri Lanka, of which two have been for balance of payments support and the others for projects.
Accordingly, the Loan Agreement has been signed today, 30th October 2019 at Vienna by Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunge, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and H.E.Abdulhamid Al-Khalifa, Director General on behalf of the OPEC Fund for International Development.
Ministry of Finance
Colombo 01
Sri Lanka
On 1st November 2019
Financial Assistance of USD 150 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Implementation of the Tranche 2 of the Second Integrated Road Investment Program
The Government of Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) entered into a Framework Financing Agreement on 14th August, 2017 with regard to the financial arrangements for the Second Integrated Road Investment Program.The investment program will improve the accessibility to the road network from rural areas and thereby increase the contribution of the rural population for economic and social development of the country.
The total estimated cost of the programme is USD 1084 million, out of which USD 900 million will be obtained in several tranches from ADB. The first tranche amounting to USD 150 million obtained in 22nd November, 2017 is being invested in the ongoing project activities and the subsequent tranches are planned to be obtained based on the financing requirements of the Program.
The Second Integrated Road Investment Program will upgrade and maintain 3400 km of rural access roads and 340 km of national roads in Northern, Eastern, Uva, and Western Provinces. In addition, improvement of capacity of road agencies with respect to safeguards, road safety, maintenance, research, road design and construction will be carried out under the program.
In this connection, Dr. R H S Samaratunga, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance entered into a loan agreement with ADB on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and Mr. Nihal Sooriyarachchi, Chairman of Road Development Authority entered into a Project Agreement with ADB on the 13th November, 2019, at the Ministry of Finance. Ms. Manjula Amerasinghe, Officer in Charge of ADB, Sri Lanka Resident Mission signed the two agreements on behalf of ADB.
Issued by the Department of External Resources on 13th November, 2019.
The European Union pledges Euro 40 million through a Grant Agreement to Sri Lanka
The European Union (EU) will step up its assistance to Sri Lanka, by providing Euro 40 million (approximately LKR 7,932 million) for the implementation of Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation and Inclusive Democratic Engagement (STRIDE) Project. Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunge signed the agreement on 9th October 2019 on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka in the presence of Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives for the Delegation of the European Union, H.E. Tung Lai Margue.
The project will be implemented in the Northern, Eastern, North Central and Uva Provinces with the indirect management of the World Bank (WB), UNDP, and the British Council.
In partnering with the WB, the EU will allocate Euro 22.5 million from its grant funds of the STRIDE Project to the ‘Performance Grant Scheme’ of the “Local Development Support Project” which is financed by the World Bank (USD 70 million). Local Development Support Project aims to support development in war affected and lagging provinces, improve coordination in local service delivery and promote economic opportunities, inclusiveness, and social cohesion.
The EU will provide Euro 10 million under the STRIDE Project for financing the capacity development of local authorities and communities to plan and manage above performance grants initiatives.
Local mediation boards will be strengthened under this project focusing on effective judicial processes and improving the mediation mechanisms. The EU will provide Euro 7 million for financing this component.