Japan provides Humanitarian Assistance of USD 46M in diesel fuel for public hospitals as part of USD 104M grant assistance in 2022

On 22 February 2023, Ambassador MIZUKOSHI signed an Exchange of Notes for the humanitarian grant assistance of USD 46 million in providing diesel fuel for public hospitals across the country with Mr. K.M.M Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, at the President Secretariat.
 
Amidst the fuel shortage due to the economic crisis, 1,180 public hospitals across the island have been forced to suspend medical services during power cut and non-emergency medical operations. Life-saving services have also been hampered by fuel shortages for ambulances and medical transport vehicles carrying emergency patients, medical staff and equipment.
 
The Government of Japan will provide 20 million litres of diesel fuel through this humanitarian support to help Sri Lanka provide sustainable medical services during the economic crisis.
 
Following the signing, Ambassador MIZUKOSHI paid a courtesy call on H.E. President Ranil Wickramasinghe and assured Japan’s commitment to provide necessary support to help Sri Lanka overcome the economic crisis and achieve sustainable economic growth. Ambassador MIZUKOSHI also stated that Japan has provided a total of USD 104 million in grant assistance to Sri Lanka in FY2022, including USD 77.8 million in humanitarian assistance, of which this USD 46 million as fuel assistance. This is the highest amount of annual grant assistance by the Japanese Government to Sri Lanka in its history, and testament to Japan's strong commitment for its continued solidarity with Sri Lanka in the midst of the current economic crisis.