Japan further strengthens collaborative relationship by providing bicycles for rural school children in Sri Lanka

On 1^st April, H. E. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka participated in the handover ceremony of 517 bicycles to Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Sushil Premajayantha at Water’s Edge, Battaramulla. These bicycles are donated by 5 local governmental bodies in Japan through a project implemented by ChildFund Japan and ChildFund to assist rural school children who live far away from their schools.

Following the severe fuel shortage due to the economic turmoil in 2022, upon the request by Hon. Minister of Education, ChildFund Japan generously volunteered to materialize this project by raising funds through a cloud-funding. Five Japanese local authorities, namely Yokohama-city, Nagoya-city, Shinjuku-ward, Tama-ward and Shinagawa-ward earnestly agreed to provide used bicycles to needy school children in rural areas of Sri Lanka, specifically in Monaragala, Hambantota, Mullaitivu, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Matale, Anuradhapura, and Trincomalee Districts. These second-hand bicycles were carefully inspected by ChildFund and generously maintained and repaired them so that children can use them in good condition.

In his speech, Ambassador Mizukoshi underscored Japan’s unwavering commitment to strengthening socio-economic conditions in Sri Lanka
 
This handover demonstrates Japan’s ongoing commitment, and long-standing friendship with Sri Lanka, and sustained partnership emphasizes our dedication in contributing to the ongoing improvement of socio-economic facilities and services in vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.