Japan provides Rs. 4 billion grant aid for Doppler Weather Radar Network
2017/6/30
The Government of Japan provides grant aid worth approximately Rs.4 billion for two development projects which cover the areas of disaster management and capacity building of public sector officials. The details of the projects are as follows;
i. Establishment of a Doppler Weather Radar Network:
In response to catastrophic floods and landslides occurred during rainy seasons, Japanese government has contributed to Sri Lanka in numerous ways, such as donating relief goods and providing technical advices. As the latest line of this assistance from Japan, the Government of Japan provides Japanese Yen 2.5 billion (approximately Rs. 3.4 billion) grant to improve short range weather forecast through the establishment of a Doppler Weather Radar Network. Under this project, Puttalam and Pottuvil Radar Observation Stations, National Meteorological Station and the DOM Aviation Meteorological Offices in both Katunayake and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airports will enhance their capacities. Moreover, technical trainings for the staff will also be conducted by Japan.
ii. Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)
Japanese Yen 470 million (approximately 634 million) grant in total will be provided to train young executive officers in public sector at Japanese Universities and develop their skills in order to qualify as future national leaders in their respective fields. Under this programme, Japanese Yen 208 million (approximately Rs. 280 million) grant will be provided for 15 public sector officials to pursue 2 year Master’s degrees from 2017 to 2019. Further, 262 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs. 354 million) will be provided for 17 public sector officials to pursue 2 year Masters or PhD degree from 2018 to 2020. Degrees are awarded in the fields of Public Policy, Public Finance, Economics, Business Management, Environmental Management, Disaster Management and Climate Change. Since its inception in 2010, JDS Program supported 105 public sector officials in Sri Lanka. The Exchange of Notes for the above projects were signed on June 30th, 2017 at the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media between H.E. Mr. Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mass Media.
i. Establishment of a Doppler Weather Radar Network:
In response to catastrophic floods and landslides occurred during rainy seasons, Japanese government has contributed to Sri Lanka in numerous ways, such as donating relief goods and providing technical advices. As the latest line of this assistance from Japan, the Government of Japan provides Japanese Yen 2.5 billion (approximately Rs. 3.4 billion) grant to improve short range weather forecast through the establishment of a Doppler Weather Radar Network. Under this project, Puttalam and Pottuvil Radar Observation Stations, National Meteorological Station and the DOM Aviation Meteorological Offices in both Katunayake and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airports will enhance their capacities. Moreover, technical trainings for the staff will also be conducted by Japan.
ii. Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)
Japanese Yen 470 million (approximately 634 million) grant in total will be provided to train young executive officers in public sector at Japanese Universities and develop their skills in order to qualify as future national leaders in their respective fields. Under this programme, Japanese Yen 208 million (approximately Rs. 280 million) grant will be provided for 15 public sector officials to pursue 2 year Master’s degrees from 2017 to 2019. Further, 262 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs. 354 million) will be provided for 17 public sector officials to pursue 2 year Masters or PhD degree from 2018 to 2020. Degrees are awarded in the fields of Public Policy, Public Finance, Economics, Business Management, Environmental Management, Disaster Management and Climate Change. Since its inception in 2010, JDS Program supported 105 public sector officials in Sri Lanka. The Exchange of Notes for the above projects were signed on June 30th, 2017 at the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media between H.E. Mr. Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mass Media.