At the handover ceremony of UNFPA project

　　
Hon. Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control，
Dr. Perera, DDG, Ministry of Health,
Ms. Ritsu Nacken, Country Representative, UNFPA Sri Lanka,
Officials from Ministry of Health,
Distinguished Guests,
 
   Good Afternoon, アーユボーワン，ワナッカム，こんにちは。

　It is my great honour to be present here for the handover ceremony of the UNFPA’s  PROMISES project.  Japan has supported this UNFPA’s project in the amount of USD 1.5 million since April 2019, aiming at enhancing the wellbeing of women and young people in Sri Lanka, thereby contributing to social cohesion and sustainable peace in this country.
 
  As a long-time development partner, Japan has been supporting the peace and development of Sri Lanka in response to the genuine needs of the Sri Lankan people, including in the areas of gender and women’s empowerment.  In April 2018, the G7 Foreign Ministers agreed on “G7 Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Partnership Initiative” to accelerate positive changes on gender equality, economic empowerment of women, and respect for their human rights to achieve and sustain peace in the partner countries in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1325.  Sri Lanka and Japan are partner countries under this WPS Initiative, for which Japan has so far extended assistance in the amount of approximately USD 6 million to Sri Lanka through UN organizations.  Japan’s assistance to the UNFPA’s PROMISES is part of this Initiative.  In addition, Japan has been supporting Sri Lanka for the formulation of its National Action Plan on WPS together with UN Women, among others.   Besides, JICA extends technical cooperation in this area, including dispatching a JICA expert on women’s empowerment to the State Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
 
  I am given to understand that under PROMISES the UNFPA and the Ministry of Health have been working together to enhance the capacity of women and youth friendly health centers, which will improve women’s and young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights information and services across the country.  We hope that the equipment and furniture handed over today will help those health centers better serve women and young people in need, who are key contributors to peace and sustainable development in this country.  
 
  I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Ministry of Health and the State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control for their ceaseless fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.  To help Sri Lanka’s fight against the COVDI-19, Japan has extended about USD 14.5 million, including for provision of medical equipment, improvement of hospitals, and reintegration of returned migrant workers.  Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, we need to minimize the impact from the pandemic and build back a better society in which all people, including those affected by the conflict, can live with dignity.  Japan is determined to continue to work with Sri Lanka to turn this crisis into an opportunity to make positive changes in every arena including health and gender sector.  
 
  Last but not least, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all for their dedicated work toward successful implementation of the project, in particular, Ministry of Health, State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, and UNFPA.
  I would like to conclude my remarks by wishing PROMISES continued success.
 
  Thank you very much for your kind attention.