Army restarts de-mining programme

COLOMBO: The Army has restarted humanitarian de-mining programme, from the beginning of this month, the military spokesperson office announced yesterday. The project was re-initiated on the instruction of the Jaffna security forces commander Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri, said a communique issued from the office.

It said: the de-mining project was stalled for last three months, due to threats to the lives of troops and to that of the de-mining team members, but the concern for the residents has promoted troops to restart the project, it said.

The aim of the project is to make the mines buried lands habitable again. the communique said.

"This is one of the many humanitarian projects the Army and the security forces had undertaken."

The project was started from Pankiluppu paddy field to improve the agricultural economy in the peninsula, it said adding that a special emphasis would be place to preserve the culture of the Tamil speaking people and the Tamil community.