Japan grants Rs. 12 m to set up coconut oil production facilities in Mullaitivu

Thursday, 11 February 2021 01:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government of Japan has provided a grant of $ 66,648 (approx. Rs. 12 million) through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) for “A Project for Installation of Coconut Oil Production Facilities in Mullaitivu District”.

The grant contract was signed by Japanese Ambassador Sugiyama Akira and Tech Ceylon Social Ventures Guarantee Ltd. Operations Director Nadarajah Senthilruban.

Tech Ceylon Social Ventures, through this project, will assist three co-operative societies operational in Visuvamadu, Thunukkai, and Nedunkerny, to establish small-scale coconut oil production facilities. These facilities in the Mullaitivu district, where a majority of households have coconut trees in their garden, will enable community members to receive additional income and help strengthen operations of the three co-operative societies damaged by the civil conflict. Not only will this grant ensure the financial security and sustainability of the co-operative societies, it will also help enhance the skills and experiences of the traditional industrial activities in the Northern Province which were disrupted during the war. Upon receiving the grant, Senthilruban stated: “Tech Ceylon is delighted that the Government of Japan has decided to support us on this important project, in a region with very high levels of poverty. We firmly believe that this targeted intervention to increase production using an abundant agricultural resource will strengthen rural incomes while advancing industrial practice in Mullaitivu.”