Japanese Ambassador Visits UN-Habitat Infrastructure Project Locations in the North of Sri Lanka
Thursday, 6 March 2014, Killinochchi, Sri Lanka. The Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Nobuhito Hobo, today visited the villages of Thiruvaiyyaru and Malayalapuram in Killinochchi District in the North of Sri Lanka. During his visit, the Ambassador opened the recently constructed community centre in Thiruvaiyyaru village and internal road in Malayalapuram village.
The community infrastructure facilities are being constructed under the project “Rehabilitation of Community Infrastructure and Facilities in the Conflict Affected Areas in Northern Province of Sri Lanka (RCIF)” funded by the Government of Japan. The project is implemented by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in close participation with local communities. The two year project will run to March 2015.
Mr. Kenji Miyata, First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka, Mrs. R. Ketheeswaran, the District Secretary of Killinochchi, Mr. G. Nageshwaran, Divisional Secretary of Karachchi DS Division, community members and UN-Habitat staff participated in the field visit.
Overall, the project will benefit returnees in over 80 villages in the districts of Mullaitivu and Killinochchi through the reconstruction and rehabilitation of vital community infrastructure including internal access roads, storm water drainage systems, pre-schools, multipurpose community centres, rain water harvesting systems and tree planting initiatives. The Government of Japan is providing funding of USD 3.6 Million (345 million Japanese Yen).
The selected communities are constructing their infrastructure facilities through a “people’s participatory process” of reconstruction which puts the communities at the centre of the process. The project is helping to build capacity of communities by providing extensive training on leadership, management, construction skills and maintenance of infrastructure facilities, with a special focus on women’s participation and empowerment.
During the visit, His Excellency Nobuhito Hobo expressed his appreciation for the commitment and dedication demonstrated by the community members in rebuilding their infrastructure facilities. He stated that the Government of Japan is pleased to partner with UN-Habitat in supporting the recovery process in the Northern Province.