US announces $5,00,000 grant to promote religious freedom in India, Sri Lanka

The US has announced a grant of nearly USD 5,00,000 for organisations which can come up with ideas and projects to promote religious freedom in India and Sri Lanka.

The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in its notice, said it seeks to "reduce religiously-motivated violence and discrimination in India" through its USD 493,827 programme.

And for Sri Lanka, it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom.

Recipient of both the India Programme and Sri Lanka  with similar objectives of religious freedom and protection would be announced after screening of applications in this regard, it said.