The Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance of Japanese Yen 2,503 million (approximately Rs. 3,422 million) under Grant Aid Program for the Establishment of a Radar Weather Network in Sri Lanka. 

The main objective of this project is the effective mitigation of the devastation generated by disasters caused by hazardous meteorological phenomena through the improvement of the weather information and forecast released by the Department of Meteorology, a statement said.

Accordingly, the Project is expected to construct Puttalam and Pottuvil Radar Tower Buildings to establish a Doppler Weather Radar Network including C-band Pulse Compression Solid State Dual Polarization Doppler Meteorological Radar Systems, Meteorological Radar Central Processing System, Meteorological Radar Data Display Systems and Meteorological Data Communication Systems. 

Further, the project is consisted of the technical support for strengthening the monitoring capability of hazardous meteorological phenomena of the staff of the Department of Meteorology.

The signing of Exchange of Notes and Grant Agreement pertaining to the above Grant took place on Friday (June 30), at the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media. 

Kenichi Suganuma Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of the Government of Japan while Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mass Media signed on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. 

In addition Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr. Fusato Tanaka signed the Grant Agreement on behalf of the Government of Japan while Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mass Media signed on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.