Community members, Sewalanka staff and Mr. Masayuki Taga of the Japanese embassy meet to discuss the progress of the agriculture livelihood project.

On May 12, 2008, Mr. Masayuki Taga, a Japanese embassy counselor, participated in an inspection tour of one of Sewalanka's livelihood projects in a very remote part of the Vavunathivu Divisional Secretariat in Pansenai. Located in Sri Lanka's eastern province and titled "Support for Agriculture Livelihood of Returnees in the District of Batticaloa", the project covers both Vavunathivu and the Varkarai Divisional Secretariat.

"Support for Agriculture Livelihood of Returnees in the District of Batticaloa" began in February 2008, and has been funded by the Japanese government. The main feature is the rehabilitation of a village tank and irrigation channel system, which will enhance paddy production in the region. The project also includes building 15 common drinking wells and promoting home gardening and perennial crop cultivation among 787 families in both regions.

During his visit, Mr. Taga had a long discussion with the project’s stakeholders, including farming organizations and Sewalanka staff. “This project is both timely and very relevant,” he noted, and expressed that he was highly impressed with the project location and the communities that would benefit from the project.