News FROM Sri Lanka

JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Sendai Framework Actions

Disaster Risk Reduction Physiotherapy to the Rescue

Beekeeping Reduces Rural Poverty INSIDE

Sendai Framework Actions Disaster Risk Reduction Page - 1

Coast Guards Training Page - 2

Water Quality Competency Page - 3

Garbage to Organic Fertilizer Sri Lankan delegation at the discussion with MLIT officials Page - 4

Identifying the best practices to this opportunity to visit the JICA Beekeeping Reduces Rural adopt for the post 2015 framework Headquarters and the Ministry of Poverty Page - 5 for Disaster Risk Reduction was the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Sri Lanka Moves to Man- focus of the Japan hosted third UN Tourism (MLIT). The delegation age Sanitary Landfills World Conference on Disaster Risk met Mr. Kuroyanagi, Vice President Page - 6 Reduction (WCDRR) held this past of JICA. The Secretary, MoDM Remote Sensing Technol- expressed appreciation of past ogy Analysis for Disaster March in Sendai, Japan. Management cooperation and also exchanged Page - 7 The Government of Sri Lanka views on current projects and New Project Raises Water weighed in with the Government of future prospects to strengthen Quality in Anuradhapura Japan and the Japan International Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Page - 8 Cooperation Agency (JICA) Physiotherapy to the Capacity. JICA assured that Rescue to promote the concepts of they would continue to work Page - 9 “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk closely with Government of Sri Musical Persuasion Reduction,” “Build Back Better” and Lanka to strengthen the Disaster Page - 10 “Importance of Prior Investment Management Capacity under the Recent Photo Memories towards disaster” to contribute to Sendai Framework for Action. Page - 11 the Sendai Framework for Action. The Secretary also met with the Vice Journalists Visit Upper Kotmale Hydro Power The Sri Lankan delegation headed Minister for Engineering of MLIT Project by the Minister for Disaster to discuss the proposed Training Page - 12 Management, Public Order and Institute for Disaster Management Christian Affairs (MoDM) used in Sri Lanka. - Cont. on Page 02 - JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 2

JICA IN THE Coast Guards Training MEDIA Tsunami early warning systems in southern seas JICA focus on environment protection vandalized The Island 12-Jan-15 JICA Supports Disaster Risk Management Programme Dinamina 27-Jan-15 Our Stance is to Support The New Government and The People Daily Mirror 3-Feb-15 Within 3 years Upper Kotmale Hydropower project covers 50% of construction cost Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project SL-P100 Dinamina 24-Feb-15 JICA role in Transport Thirty-five Sri Lankan Coast Guards They worked in close coordination Master Plan for Colombo were trained recently to effectively with the Colombo Port Fire Brigade. City Urban Transport respond and manage an oil spill Development Project for The marine environment protection Colombo Metropolitan incident at sea under JICA’s New Region and the suburbs Technical Cooperation Project on course was conducted from 26 Daily Mirror January to 16 February 2015. The Sri 05-Mar-15 Maritime Disaster Prevention and Japan funds BIA, Marine Environment Protection. Lanka Coast Guard Director General, electricity projects BIA Rear Admiral S.S. Ranasinghe and development Phase II - The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) SL-P 104 Captain Ishizuka, Director, Marine Daily News carried out the tactical training at 09-Mar-15 Environment Protection and the Colombo Port, led by Lieutenant Rs 30b slash on Outer Disaster Prevention Division, Guard Circular Highway Commander Tanaka, Team Leader Greater Colombo Urban of the National Strike Team of JCG, and Rescue Department of JCG Transport Development inaugurated it. Project - SL-P89 and Response Officer Mr. Sasaki. Daily News 04-Feb-15 - from Page 01. - Drinking water for The Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Following this discussion the Anuradhapura needy Anuradhapura North Centre has an approved budget for delegation made a study visit to the Water Supply Project SL-P 110 founding the Institute and Japan’s Emergency Operation Center of Daily News help was sought to develop curricula MLIT to learn about the information 24-Apr-15 collection and sharing system. and for training of trainers. The Sri CALENDER MLIT gathers information and Lankan delegation also engaged in a May – August summarizes intelligence by creating lively discussion on the emergency Signing of Grant a common operational picture Agreement for the management operation of the Project for Human among stakeholders that is used Resource Development Great East Japan Earthquake with to dispatch a Tec-Force (Technical Scholarship (JDS) particular interest in the institutional Emergency Control Force) to assist Signing of 45th Loan package arrangement of emergency local governments to conduct rapid Handing over of 11 management and assistance for the disaster assessment, and to conduct a Volunteers from 27/1 victims in the post disaster period. post disaster needs assessment. Batch JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 3 Water Quality Competency JICA CEA join to test water supplies

The three-year Watercompetency to implement Eng. Nihal Rubasinghe, Quality Monitoring Project methodically, water quality Secretary Ministry of commenced under the management of major water Mahaweli Development and Technical Cooperation Scheme bodies in the island. Japanese Environment and Mr. Hiroyuki of JICA on 3 March 2015. experts will be working with Abe, Senior Representative The Central Environmental CEA officials for achieving this of JICA Sri Lanka Office Authority (CEA) officials,purpose of the project. participated at the meeting. JICA experts and staff, and other stakeholders convened on 12 March 2015 to hold the first Joint Coordination Committee meeting.

The purpose of the project is to strengthen the enforcement capacity of the CEA on water quality management of the Kelani River basin. However, the overall goal of the project is for the CEA to gain JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 4 Garbage to Organic Fertilizer JICA presents new technology to Kundasale The local leaders and officials at this stakeholder dialogue were able to address many concerns of local residents. At the completion of this one year survey, a business model utilizing technologies adopted by the Kawashima Company Ltd. of Japan will be established. This venture then may be replicated in other areas in Sri Lanka to address an ever growing issue of garbage disposal. The JICA assisted verification surveys are based on proposals from Japanese companies Mr. Kiyoshi Amada, Chief sites in and around this area,” and disseminate methods Representative of JICA Sri Mr. Amada said. “I would of production and useful Lanka Office, inauguratedlike to request all stakeholders technologies worldwide. the first stakeholder meeting specially the officials of both These surveys are conducted of the “Recycling Project Kundasale and Pathadumbara through verification activities of Organic Garbage and Pradeshiya Sabhas and Central that enhance the capabilities Agricultural Waste by Screw Provincial Council to commit to of partner countries, so that Type Composting Plant,” at fulfill all the measures required the products and technologies Kundasale, Kandy on 28th to successfully implement this will be utilized to solve socio- January 2015. This verification P r o j e c t ,” he added. economic issues in developing survey comes under JICA’s countries. assistance for utilizing and disseminating private sector technologies globally. Under this survey, a screw type composting plant will be established in Kundasale, Kandy, to produce good quality organic fertilizer. “JICA expects that this scheme will contribute to reduce large amount of garbage at dumping JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 5 Beekeeping Reduces Rural Poverty JICA promotes income generating activities in the dry zone carpenters from the same village working with us.” The project also provides technical guidance and monitoring of Mr. Subasinghe’s work as a regional collector and agent for marketing of pure bee’s honey in the Southern region. Mr. Subasinghe, a producer of bees honey for the last 20 years, works together with beekeepers in Ihalakumbukwewa village and The rural communities in the supported to produce boxes says, “The demand for pure bee Dry Zone of Sri Lanka living for beekeeping according to honey is an increasing trend below the poverty line blot standards set by the apiculture in the Southern region.” Other Sri Lanka’s commendable promoting authorities in Sri beekeepers in the region not record of poverty reduction. Lanka. Bee boxes produced only receive technical guidance JICA has initiated special are provided to carefully and supply of bee boxes from income generating schemes to selected capable beekeepers him but also marketing advice. change this statistic, through at a concessional price. 721 beekeeping families in the a technical cooperation Mr. Subasinghe‘s wife Southern area are now grouped project with a Long Term Mrs. Sriyani Dhammika works into 48 beekeeping community Expert on Rural Development closely with him and says, “The organizations functioning (LTERD) in the Southern and income generated by producing in the Sooriyawewa region. Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka. bee boxes is sufficient to cover The demand is high for bee The project targets the large our monthly family expenses boxes and so is the thirst for number of people in these and at present there are four knowledge of beekeeping. provinces who are in need of skills development, training and support so they can move out of the poverty cycle. The project promotes apiculture, commonly known as beekeeping in the Dry Zone. The catalyst selected by the Project for this intervention is Mr. Sarath Subasinghe and he has been equipped and JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 6 Sri Lanka Moves to Manage Sanitary Landfills JICA–SATREPS project on track Managing the disposal of garbage in an environmentally friendly manner is a crucial necessity for the well being of citizens. The JST-JICA Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), has been helping the Government of Sri Lanka to establish and manage sanitary landfills in the country. SATREPS’ experts have identified five stages towards the better management of landfills. The first stage is a socio-economic analysis on JST-JICA SATREPS, held an of a set of guidelines for solid waste management and assessment meeting at the sustainable design construction the second is defining the University Grants Commission of waste dumping sites and we methodology appropriate for in Colombo chaired by Mr. expect these to be adhered by the selection of sites for new Piyasena Ranepura, Secretary all local authorities across the landfills. The next phase is the of State Ministry of Higher country in the future,” he said. environmental monitoring of Education on 13 March 2015. existing landfills to be followed At this meeting Mr. Amada, The necessary environmental up by developing pollution Chief Representative, JICA Sri research for managing landfills control techniques. The last Lanka Office, pointed out that is being conducted at the new stage is the preparation of first three phases have been Environmental Engineering almost completed and that guidelines for those activities. Laboratory at the University the last two are on track to be The Joint Coordinationfulfilled. “The most important of Peradeniya established Committee (JCC) under the component is the formulation by SATREPS and houses LKR 158.3 million worth of modern equipment. For more information: http://www.jst.go.jp/global/ english/kadai/h2205_ srilanka.html JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 7 Remote Sensing Technology Analysis for Disaster Management Seminar explores opportunities of utilization Post Disaster Survey of the Koslanda Landslide. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with the collaboration of the Ministry of Disaster Management, the Disaster Management Center and the National Building Research Organization managed the event.

For more information: http://www.jica.go.jp/ srilanka/english/office/ topics/150121.html

Staff from governmentManagement. Dr. Takeo and non-government Tadono from The Japan organizations as well as Aerospace Exploration Agency academia was introduced to (JAXA) lectured on the “Remote Sensing” and how application of Satellite Images it can be used to increase for Disaster Management. Dr. awareness of the stakeholders Go Sato, Associate Professor, during a disaster and for post Teikyo Heisei University spoke disaster situation analysis at a on “Sample Introduction: seminar recently. Utilization of Satellite Image for Landslide Disaster Risk The speakers at the seminar Analysis.” Experts of the JICA shared their experiences in technical cooperation project both Japan and Sri Lanka in on Landslide Mitigation applying the remote sensing presented the introduction technology in Disaster of sample application on JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 8 New Project Raises Water Quality in Anuradhapura JICA prioritizes project to serve CKD affected areas water that causes CKD, dental and skeletal fluorosis. The project hopes that the better quality of water will contribute to improve the hygienic status and health of the people in the area. The four-year project has a priority status due to the grave decline of health of Anuradhapura residents attributed largely to water borne diseases such as CKD. Phase 1 of the project will supply treated pipe borne water from Mahakanadarawa Reservoir to approximately 60,000 residents of Medawachchiya The National Water Supply prevalence rate of Chronic and Rambewa Divisional and Drainages Board Kidney Disease (CKD). Secretariat Divisions in the (NWSDB) will construct a Anuradhapura District. The Various surveys indicate new water supply system current, urgent demand for for Anuradhapura North to that a considerable section of the population in safe water is met by NWSDB provide safe drinking water delivering water to the most and increase supply coverage Anuradhapura depend on unsafe contaminated ground needy in eleven bowsers to an area where there is a high procured under the Project. The project is supported by JICA with a loan of 5,166 Million Yen in LKR 7,458 Million. JICA is a long- standing development partner of Sri Lanka and supports the reconstruction and reconciliation activities of the North and East of the country. JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 9 Physiotherapy to the Rescue Plaudits for ‘Apey Miss Rie’ (our Miss. Rie) population of more than 50,000 people. Mrs. Daya Mahanama from Beragama East attends her classes without fail, often ignoring her other family commitments. “The exercise helped a lot to reduce my weight and I was able to stop medicines I was taking,” Ms. Mahanama said. Mrs. P L Sunethra, Social Services Officer at Mulatiyana Divisional Secretariatis another satisfied patient.“I was suffering from a pain in my hand and had to take medicines continuously without any relief. But with Rie’s exercises I have Ms. Rie Okahara, JICA Sinhala signifies belonging and completely recovered.” Volunteer working as a to be considered “as one of us” In addition, Physiotherapist, attached is a sincere compliment that Ms. Okahara spreads her to Mulatiyana Divisional the community has bestowed knowledge with regular Secretariat in Matara has on this committed volunteer. visits to Deiyandara and gained much recognition The Mulatiyana Divisional Pallewela hospitals to conduct and praise from the residents Secretariat in Matara has a physiotherapy classes. in the community. She is helping 20 Public Health Midwives (PHM) in the area and conducts physiotherapy exercises in the antenatal and post-natal clinics at the office of the Medical Officer of Health (MoH). Benefits accruing from the therapy have made her very popular with a group called ‘Diriya’ Mothers Health Society. They gather every week, at the MoH office, Mulatiyana to see their “Apey Miss Rie”. The word “Apey” in JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 10 Musical Persuasion

Ms. Makiko Kido is the 6th a dedicated and disciplined practical training in various Japanese volunteer attached to worker. important aspects of western the Maheweli National College Ms. Kido’s main musical music with a focus on piano of Education (MNCE), as a instrument is the piano and she playing and vocal exercises. “I western music teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree would like to see my students not only transfers skills and in Education, and a Japanese practice more intensively with expertise, but also sets an High School Teachers’ License. the aim of perfecting their example to her pupils by being At MNCE she provides skills, and becoming confident teachers,” Ms. Kido says. She also supports the development of text books and curricula which is vital for setting and maintaining proper training standards. MNCE conducts a 3 year Western Music Diploma Program for teacher trainees. JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 11 Recent Photo Memories

JICA volunteers make the Galle Literary Festival fun Mr. Masao Kiba, renowned former Japanese professional player holds a football clinic

National Safety Day to commemorate the 2004 Indian JICA links Japan and Sri Lanka to educate the young on Ocean Tsunami Disaster Risk Management

JICA conducts Stakeholder Consultation Meeting for Two new volunteers strengthen Early Childhood Formulating Water Sector Development Project III Education in the Northern and Eastern Provinces JANUARY - APRIL 2015 • NUMBER 4 • SRI LANKA Page 12 Journalists Visit Power Project Takes a closer look at developments at Talawakelle

quality of education,” Mr. R. Krishnaswamy, Principal of Tamil Maha Vidyalaya, Talawakelle, said. The Project Power Plant was commissioned in 2012. The project staff met with media at a press briefing held at St. Clair’s viewing gallery constructed under the project at Talawakelle. “Fifty A team of electronic and print enabled the visitors to see also percent of the total project media journalists visited the the humanitarian side of the cost has been recovered from “Upper Kotmale Hydropower project -- the resettlement of the generation of electricity Project (UKHP)” in displaced persons in 524 newly during this three year period,” Talawakelle, to see first hand constructed housesas well as Project Director of UKHP one of the largest infrastructure the positive transformation Mr. T. Selvjane said at this projects undertaken by the of the Talawakelle town. The briefing. Hydro Power Ceylon Electricity Board. new facilities include a school, generation is vital for the The construction of thea market and religious places growth and development of Sri 150MW Hydropower Plant of worship such as Kovils Lanka and the media team was was supported by JICA with a and churches.“The number of grateful for this opportunity to concessionary loan of JPY 37 students in school has increased observe a major infrastructure billion. with the construction of new project and learn the real facts The two-day visit to the buildings and the improvement of the project. project site in Talawakele and of other facilities by the project, For more information: Niyamgamdora, Kotmale enables us to improve the http://www.ukhp.lk

Contact Us Editor for JICA News from Sri Lanka Kiyoshi Amada. Chief Repersentative, JICA Sri Lanka JICA Sri Lanka Office 10th & 13th Floors, DHPL Building, No. 42, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka Tel: (+94) 011-2300470 Fax: (+94) 011-2303692 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.jica.go.jp/srilanka/english/index.html https://www.facebook.com/jicasrilanka http://www.youtube.com/user/JICASriLankaOffice