Aug 21, Colombo: The government of Japan has provided over Rs. 11 million in grant aid for a project to improve livelihoods of the resettled people in the Vavuniya District of Northern Sri Lanka.

The US$ 89,825 grant under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) was given to the People's Livelihood Development Foundation (PLDF) to improve agricultural activities and livelihood of approximately 625 resettled families, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said in a statement.

Ambassador of Japan Nobuhito Hobo and Director of People's Livelihood Development Foundation Priyantha Kumara signed the grant contract Monday (20) at the Ambassador's Residence in Colombo.

Through the project, Elamarandakulam and Poomaduwa tanks in Vavuniya South District Secretariat division will be renovated to expand paddy cultivation and home gardening in the area.

The project also includes livelihood improvement activities such as provision of agricultural tools, plants and seeds and food processing programs for the community in Rankethgama, Thaddankulama, Palle-uruwa and Awarankulam along with renovation of two tanks.

According to Mr. Kumara the project will also encourage and educate community to grow crops in their home gardens.

Food processing training and home garden education programs will facilitate a path for better livelihood. Through home gardening and Palm training programs, new employment opportunities will be generated in four villages in the area.

Other Japan-funded projects in the North include improvement of central facilities of Jaffna Teaching Hospital, construction of Vavuniya-Killinochchi Transmission Line, and urgent rehabilitation of resettled communities in Jaffna and Mannar districts.

"Japan hopes that these assistances would holistically contribute to sustainable peace and development in Sri Lanka and promote the livelihood of the people," the Embassy said in the statement.