Senior JICA Advisor meets Basil

A high-profile delegation led by Professor Yoshimasa Suenobu, Senior Advisor to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), met Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa on Tuesday (13) at the Ministry of Economic Development.

On this occasion JICA officers agreed to provide assistance to expand the facilities of Katunayaka Bandaranayaka International Airport, improve the electricity transmission and develop the four base hospitals in rural areas.

Founded in 1974, JICA implements technical assistance programs for the Government of Japan in 165 countries throughout the world. JICA’s technical assistance to Sri Lankan covers a wide-range of sectors, including health, education, transport, energy, agriculture, fisheries, small and medium scale industries, and community development. Japan was the major donor who provided development assistance to Sri Lanka during the last four decades.

Development cooperation included funding for Sri Lanka’s major development projects, technical assistance and training and skill development assistance. JICA coordinated most of the Economic and Technical Cooperation Programme.

Minister Rajapaksa and JICA representatives reviewed the progress of JICA assisted programs such as roads and bridges construction programme, livelihood development programs, tank development projects in Northern Province, tourism development projects and second phase of the Colombo Outer Circular Highway project.

Minister Rajapaksa extends special thanks to JICA for the valuable support rendered for the Sea cucumber cultivation pilot project in Navanthurai in Jaffana District. Sea cucumber farming pilot project was implemented by the Project for Development Planning for the Rapid Promotion of Reconstruction and Development in Jaffna District with the assistance of JICA organisation to generate extra income for costal people in Jaffna.

Minister stated that Sea cucumbers fetch good prices in the global market; therefore Sea cucumber cultivation should be developed as commercially viable venture.  It will be a valuable source of income for coastal communities. Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Nobuhito Hobo and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency also participated at this discussion.