Two Milestone Projects Signed in the Presence of the Japanese PM and the Sri Lankan President

On 29th September, the Exchange of Notes on “Official Security Assistance (OSA) Program” and “the Project for the Enhancement of Productivity in the Dairy Sector” were signed by H.E. Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, and Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, in the esteemed presence of H.E. Shigeru ISHIBA, Prime Minister of Japan, and H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, during the latter’s official visit to Japan.
 
Japan’s first OSA for Sri Lanka signifies that bilateral cooperation in security has entered a new phase. Launched in 2023, OSA is a new grant aid cooperation framework of Japan to strengthen the security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries. OSA enables armed forces to be a recipient, differently from “Official Development Assistance (ODA)”, which is for the economic and social development of developing countries.
 
Under this OSA Program in the amount of 500 Million yen (approximately 1 Billion rupees), two types of state-of-the-art Japanese-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicles UAVs for monitoring, surveillance and disaster relief will be provided to the Sri Lanka Navy. The project is expected to contribute to enhancing security of Sri Lanka, maintaining and strengthening regional stability.
 
Under the Grant Aid Project for the Enhancement of Productivity in the Dairy Sector, in the amount of 463 Million yen (approximately 945 Million rupees), equipment such as real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment, sperm motility analyzer system and four-wheel tractor as well as technical support will be provided to livestock facilities in Central Province, Northern Province, Eastern Province, North Central Province and North West Province.
 
The Project aims to improve milk productivity, and thereby contribute to inclusive economic development through improved livelihoods of small-scale dairy farmers in Sri Lanka.
 
These milestone projects not only demonstrate Japan’s unwavering commitment to support Sri Lanka but also contribute to further developing bilateral relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka.