The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Sri Lanka welcomed a donation of US$4.6 million worth of rice and canned fish from Japan. The food will be used to feed 275,000 school children and 350,000 displaced and conflict-affected persons for three months in the most neglected areas of Sri Lanka. Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan, Masayuki Taga, announced the handover of 5,685 tons of rice and 110 tons of canned fish to Mr. W.K.K. Kumarasiri, Secretary of the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development as Japan's contribution towards WFP's activities in the country. WFP Representative and Country Director, Mohamed Saleheen, attended the ceremony at the government warehouse complex at Orugodawatte. Mr. Taga, while noting global food and fuel price rises affect the weakest and most vulnerable people, expressed his hope that the rice provided under this programme would help such beneficiaries meet their basic food needs and ease the difficulties they face. This donation has come at a crucial time, when soaring commodity prices are diminishing the purchasing power of WFP targeted vulnerable groups, resulting in even poorer access to a basic, balanced diet with sufficient protein and micronutrients,' said Mr. Saleheen. "We are grateful for this contribution from Japan