Japan grants Rs. 185m for landmine clearance

THE Government of Japan has extended further support for demining activities in Sri Lanka and has provided a further grant amounting to US$ 1,845,721 (approximately Rs. 185 million) to five International Non- Governmental Organizations (INGOs) in order to accelerate landmine clearance activities in the North and East.

In addition to this grant, Japan has contributed more than US$ 7.8 million (approximately Rs. 780 million) for mine clearance activities in Sri Lanka, states a Japanese Embassy press release.

The five INGOs are the Danish De-mining Group (DDG), the HALO Trust, the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) and the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD).

The grants were provided for one year's mine clearance activities at several locations in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mannar in the North and Batticaloa in the East.

According to the National Steering Committee for Mine Action of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation, humanitarian de-miners have so far removed over 119,656 mines including Anti Personal mines (APMs), Anti Tank Mines (ATMs) and Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) and cleared over 12 million square meters of land since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in February 2002.

However, it is estimated that approximately 800,000 mines, which is two-thirds of the total mines laid during the conflict time are yet to be removed.

The grant funds will be utilized for continuation and strengthening of the current de-mining activities such as, the costs of de-mining staff and supporting staff, management of de-mining activities, the maintenance cost of demining equipment, purchase of manual de-mining equipment, etc. in the North and East.

A part of the funds will be utilized by MAG for the continuation of de-mining the proposed sites for electricity power line project, which extends from Vavuniya to Kilinochchi. The Power Line Project was also funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

The signing of the Grant Contracts took place at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation on Thursday between Akio Suda, Ambassador of Japan and the Representatives of the respective INGOs' organizations, M. S. Jayasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation, Dr. A. S. Kunasingham, Senior Advisor & the Secretary National Steering Committee for Mine Action, Dr. Greg French, High Commissioner, Australian High Commission, Ms. Toni Michelson, Minister Counsellor, Denmark and other Embassy Officers, representatives of de-mining organizations and several Government officials were also present at the occasion.