The adverse impacts of climate change, compounded by Sri Lanka’s ongoing socio-economic crisis, have left rural communities grappling with increasing vulnerability. With a rural economy heavily reliant on natural resources, the effects of inflation, soaring import prices, and disrupted supply chains have created a precarious situation. As the cost of living rises, many low-income households in rural areas have turned to unsafe alternative energy sources, worsening indoor air pollution and leading to premature deaths and chronic health issues. In response to these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Japan, has launched initiatives aimed at enhancing food and energy security through renewable energy technologies in Sri Lanka’s rural regions.

A press release by the UNDP said: As part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Climate Promise initiative with funding from the Government of Japan through Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) Phase 1, the project entitled ‘Enhancing Food and Energy Security through the Promotion of Renewable Energy for Wider Uptake among Vulnerable Smallholder Farmers in Sri Lanka’ was implemented in the North-Western and Eastern Provinces. In Phase 2, the ‘Enhancing Rural Resilience in Sri Lanka through Energy Efficiency & the Adoption of Renewable Energy for a Just Transition to Net-Zero Pathways’ project is being implemented in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

In a recent visit to the Northern and Eastern Provinces, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Akio Isomata, together with Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota, engaged in an observation visit to selected project sites, along with key representatives from local governments, including Nadaraja Thamilchelvan, Deputy Chief Secretary, Eastern Province; Dr. Raj Gnanasegar, Director-Planning, Eastern Province; and A. Umamaheshwaran, District Secretary, Mullaitivu District.

Commenting on the visits, Ambassador Isomata said, “These projects are significant as they try to achieve human security of individuals as well as energy security of the society by meeting energy needs of the local communities through energy efficiency and renewable energy technology. Assistance to the Northern and Eastern Provinces continues to be important pillars of Japan’s development assistance to Sri Lanka. Japan is committed to working together with all stakeholders, also taking into account the recently-launched initiative of the new government ’Clean Sri Lanka.”

During the visit to the Eastern Province, the high-level delegation saw the direct impacts in locations including the District Agriculture Training Centre in Uppuweli, Trincomalee, which was supported with a 10kW solar PV system and supports nearly 10,000 individuals – playing a crucial role in equipping smallholder farmers, women, youth, and government officials with essential agricultural knowledge and skills with an annual saving of approximately 1,700 USD.

In the Northern Province, Ambassador Isomata and Kubota along with A. Umamaheshwaran, District Secretary, Mullaitivu District visited the beneficiaries with home gardens in Puthukkudiyiruppu. The delegation directly engaged and interacted with beneficiaries who have been supported through the introduction of Renewable Energy Technologies. 75 biogas units, 100 improved cookstoves and 102 Solar PV systems will be provided to the community under the project and were symbolically handed over to the community during the visit.

Highlighting UNDPs leadership through the initiative, Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka added, “For many families in this area, energy access is not just a challenge—it’s a barrier to opportunity. High energy costs limit the potential to thrive socially and economically. By providing solar, biogas, and improved cookstoves to the community through the UNDP Climate Promise Initiative, funded by the Government of Japan, we enhance livelihoods and narrow the energy divide for rural farming communities. We are grateful for the opportunities provided by the Government and People of Japan to bring new technologies to the communities.”