Under Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme, a grant of 300 million Japanese Yen (approximately Rs. 590 million) has been provided to procure four firefighting vehicles, each with a 4000L water tank capacity, and 12 sets of equipment for the Katunayake, Biyagama, Seethawaka, and Wathupitiwala export processing zones.
To formalise this grant, an official signing ceremony took place on March 20, 2025, at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Exchange of Notes was signed by K.M. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Akio Isomata, the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government of Japan.
This assistance will significantly boost investor confidence, and the prompt emergency response from these units will help protect workers and properties, minimising losses, the Finance Ministry said in a press release.
The Government of Sri Lanka extended its deepest appreciation to Japan for this grant. ‘This collaboration reinforces the strong and enduring partnership between the two nations and paves the way for a more sustainable future for Sri Lanka,’ the Ministry said.
The export processing zones functioning under the purview of the Sri Lanka Board of Investment (BOI) play a critical role in Sri Lanka’s economic development. Approximately 145,000 employees work at 285 enterprises across the fourteen (14) export processing zones island wide.
The Finance Ministry said that enhancing the firefighting capacity in these zones has been identified as crucial to ensuring the safety of employees and properties.
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