Japan to extend its support to Humanitarian Demining Activities in Northern Province

On the 31st July 2025, His Excellency Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan, signed the grant contract of demining project under the scheme of “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”, with Mr. Ananda Chandrasiri, Director & Program Manager of the Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH).
 
The Government of Japan has provided approx. USD 450,000 (approx. Rs. 131,400,000) for the project with DASH to extend its support for humanitarian demining activities in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Japan has been a major donor in demining activities in Sri Lanka since 2002, and the total assistance amounts to approx. USD 48 million.

Reiterating the significance of the assistance, Ambassador ISOMATA said: “The GGP Scheme is based on the concept of ‘Human Security’ the Government of Japan adopts as an important pillar of its diplomacy. It is a concept aiming to advance nation- and community- building through protection and empowerment of individuals, especially the vulnerable, to live in dignity free from fear. This project by DASH will play a crucial role in enhancing human security of the people of Sri Lanka, by enabling around 900 people to resettle and approximately 4,000 residents to engage in dairy farming and other economic activities in and around areas to be demined in the Northern province. The assistance to the project is also very much aligned with the efforts of the Sri Lankan Government for the socio-economic development of the Northern and Eastern Provinces and for national unity and reconciliation. Developing the conflict-affected areas and providing support for national reconciliation process, including support for achieving ‘Mine-Impact-Free Sri Lanka’ continue to be priority areas of Japan’s official development assistance to Sri Lanka.”
 
Commenting on the receiving of this grant assistance, Mr. Ananda Chandrasiri, Director & Program Manager of DASH, stated;
 
“Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH) commenced its humanitarian demining efforts in Sri Lanka in 2010 as an independent, local organization, with the funding assistance of Japan. The Grant Contract signed today has extended that support for 9 more months; from 1st August 2025 to 30th April 2026. This grant marks the 16th consecutive year of that support, with total funds received exceeding LKR 1,561 million that has enabled DASH to clear and release 7.9 km² of mine-contaminated area and destroy in the process 56,475 anti-personnel mines, 114 anti-tank mines, 14,141 explosive remnants of war, and 77,224 small arms ammunition. As a result, there have been 27,005 people directly and 99,830 people indirectly benefited. The new project is expected to clear more than 100,000 m², benefiting over 5,000 people, and facilitating a safer environment to resettled communities for landmines and explosive remnants of war being cleared, ensuring safe access to livelihood and infrastructure development such as roads, schools, religious sites, public facilities.”