FROM News Sri Lanka Project News FROM News SriJULY Lanka – SEPTEMBER 2016 ● NUMBER 9 ● SRI LANKA Page 1 JULY – SEPTEMBER 2016 ● NUMBER 9 ● SRI LANKA Are You Interested in JICA Assisted Feasibility Study on Light Rail Studying in Japan? Transit Line To Commence in January 2017 Here We Offer a Great Program for You! http://www.jds21.com/en/srilanka/ INSIDE JICA assisted Light Rail Transit (LRT) system feasibility study to commence in January 2017 Pages 1 & 2 JICA To Help Plan Kandy Development Page 3 JICA extends capacity building support for Lankan Public Sector Page 4 JICA and SLRC In A Light Rail Transit station Partnership to Increase Awareness of Japanese n response to a request from the Government connectivity with other urban public transport Culture of Sri Lanka, JICA conducted a scoping modes such as Bus and Railway to enable the I Page 5 Mission in September 2016 for the Feasibility modes to complement each other instead of Media representatives get Study of the first elevated Light Rail Transit duplication. first-hand experience of (LRT) line in Sri Lanka, from Malabe to the Malabe to Fort is a high priority transport corridor JICA projects in Kandy District Colombo Business District. as it is the one which connects the administrative Pages 6 & 7 The Feasibility Study will address key aspects capital to the business district in metro Colombo. such as current and projected traffic patterns, The CoMTrans Master Plan (Urban Transport President Hands Over Newly Constructed Maha optimization of the route, economic viability, Master Plan for Colombo Metropolitan Region & Oya Water Treatment Plant environmental and social impacts, inter-modal Suburbs) study conducted with JICA assistance to the People connectivity, implementation schedules and in 2012 – 2014 found that this corridor carries Page 8 operation and maintenance systems. the largest number of vehicles and has the lowest JICA Assists Sri Lanka to At the conclusion of the Mission, the Minutes of speed compared to all other corridors. It is also Gain Benefits of LiDAR Technology Discussion were signed by Nihal Rupasinghe, the one major corridor currently not served by a Secretary, Ministry of Megapolis & Western rail based public transport mode. Page 9 Development as the counterpart agency for the JICA Volunteers conduct series of workshops for Project, and Ms. Haruko Kamei, Director of The route covered by the preschool teachers South Asia Department, JICA HQ. Feasibility Study runs through Pages 10 &11 The approximately 25-km route which would be Malabe – Battaramulla – JICA Supports Historic covered by the Feasibility Study runs through National Policy For Elderly Malabe – Battaramulla – Rajagiriya – Borella – Rajagiriya – Borella – Union Healthcare Union Place - Fort - Maradana and Kollupitiya. Place - Fort - Maradana and Page 12 The final route would be determined from the Feasibility Study with special focus on inter- Kollupitiya Contd. page 2 FROM News Sri Lanka Project News JULY – SEPTEMBER 2016 ● NUMBER 9 ● SRI LANKA Page 2 From page 1 JICA In the An elevated LRT system is the mode decided and safe transport to all citizens” commented MEDIA for the route, considering minimizing necessity Kiyoshi Amada, Chief Representative of JICA for land acquisition, compatibility of technology Sri Lanka Office. Japan provides Rs. 2.4bn across transport systems, flexibility to extend the for SL maritime safety network at-grade where possible and to facilitate An elevated LRT system is the competitive procurement. Daily Mirror mode decided for the route, 1/7/2016 “Land transport systems and infrastructure are under the purview of many different considering minimizing “Cabinet Decisions - JICA assisted Light Rail Transit Governmental agencies in Sri Lanka, and necessity for land acquisition (LRT) system” sometimes it may be difficult to coordinate and compatibility of technology among each other. But, this is a critical Lakbima 1/7/2016 requirement to ensure the feasibility of such a across transport systems project which could be one of the largest public Japanese government to continue HR Development investment projects in Sri Lanka. We should As evidenced by dynamic cities around the world, Scholarship programme avoid not only physical conflict among different improvement and increased usage of public Sunday Times transport infrastructure, but also strategic transport systems is the effective and sustainable 10/7/2016 conflict which could lead to reduced viability solution to urban traffic congestion. As such, Beach Cleaning Program in and inefficient usage of public funds. This is the JICA is proud to partner the Government of Sri Mt. Lavinia by Japanese challenge that Sri Lanka needs to overcome and Lanka in realizing this flagship project in the Sri we hope the Government agencies will come Lankan capital, which will bring economic and Lankadeepa 8/8/2016 together towards the single objective of providing social benefits to the entire country. equitable, efficient, environmentally sustainable JICA helps local farmers produce quality seed for increased productivity Daily News 24/8/2016 Cabinet nod to sign Rs. 14b Japanese loan with Government Daily FT 1/9/2016 Japanese assistance towards the Agriculture Sector Dinamina 7/9//2016 Japanese delegation visits Samasara mountain on observation tour Lakbima 13/9/2016 Nihal Rupasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Megapolis & Western Development, and Ms. Haruko Kamei, Director, South Asia Department of JICA HQ exchange the signed copies of the Minutes of discussion FROM News Sri Lanka Project News JULY – SEPTEMBER 2016 ● NUMBER 9 ● SRI LANKA Page 3 JICA To Help Plan Kandy Development Calender October-December October • Oct 10: Signing of Record of Discussion for technical cooperation project for formulation of Greater Kandy Urban Development Plan • 19th & 20th October, 2016 - Soccer Clinic conducted in Jaffna • 19th October - Opening ceremony of Maha Oya Water Treatment Plant constructed under Eastern Province Water Supply Development Project 20th October – Opening • Ceremony of Waste Water Treatment Plant Constructed under JICA verification Survey for Milco Digana JICA’s Toru Kobayakawa and Dr Jagath Munasinghe, Chairman UDA exchange copies of the Factory agreement as Minister Ranawake looks on he Urban Development Authority (UDA) forward to sharing the Japanese experiences October - November Tof Sri Lanka and Japan International and lessons in developing such ancient cities Cooperation Agency (JICA) commenced a in Japan, to help develop the true potential • 30th October to 08th technical cooperation project to formulate the of Kandy. The key to successful development November, 2016 - Third urban development vision and detailed urban planning is mutual consultation and consensus- Country Group Training Programme on 5S-CQI-TQM plans towards the objective of enhancing the building with the many stakeholders, and we Implementation in Sri Lanka value and attractiveness of Kandy as a historic will make every effort to support UDA to do and touristic city, and realizing its unique socio- so in implementing the project” noted Kiyoshi economic potential while preserving its ancient Amada, Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka November heritage sacred to Buddhists around the world. Office. Through the project, JICA will support UDA The Record of Discussion for the project was • 17th November – Signing to prepare the urban development vision for signed on 10th of October 2016 in Kandy by of Loan for Anuradhapura the Kandy metropolitan area, detailed urban Dr. Jagath Munasinghe, Chairman - UDA and North Water Supply Project Phase II plans including urban design guidelines and Toru Kobayakawa, Senior Representative of regulations to protect and sustain the heritage JICA – Sri Lanka Office in the presence of Hon. city area and recommend sustainable systems Champika Ranawaka, Minister of Megapolis & and strategic investment proposal to implement Western Development. the development plans. “Kandy has a unique heritage and history which people from around the world gather to Sri Lanka to experience. Even more importantly, Kandy is a city very close to the heart of Sri Lankan people, for its significance to the Buddhists as well as other religions, and its importance in history as the last ancient kingdom. We look FROM News Sri Lanka Project News JULY – SEPTEMBER 2016 ● NUMBER 9 ● SRI LANKA Page 4 JICA extends capacity building support for Lankan Public Sector Participants will acquire expert knowledge, build professional networks and on their return take an active role in facilitating social and economic progress in the country Disaster Management and Climate Change. “We believe capacity development is central to the socio-economic development of any country and these programmes are of paramount importance A previous batch of scholars who participated in the JDS programme in JICA’s continued engagement in the Sri Lankan development context. Through he need for capacity building to Ministry of Finance in June in a special the JDS Scholarship scheme it is firmly Tensure an efficient public sector and ceremony at the Ministry following the believed participants will acquire expert meet developmental goals is considered signing of an Exchange of Notes between knowledge, build professional networks as imperative. His Excellency the Ambassador for and on their return take an active role in As an active partner in Sri Lanka’s Japan in Sri Lanka, K. Suganuma and facilitating social and economic progress economic progress, the Japan Dr. R.H.S. Samarathunga