Over Rs. 2,180m spent to clear landmines last year
Lakshmi DE SILVA
During 2009 the Government had spent Rs 2,180 million to clear
landmines in the North and East, Economic Development Ministry Media
Director Kapila Ariyarathna told the Daily News yesterday.
He further said up to May this year the Government had conducted
17,654 educational programs on landmines and explosive devices to the
people in the North and East.
The Sri Lanka Army had expedited the de-mining process with 1,050
Army personnel deployed in the risky process which consumes time and
energy while another six NGOs participating in the process. In addition
to the Army personnel another 2013 officers from NGOs took part in the
de-mining process he explained.
Economic Development Ministry had bought 29 flail machines that were
used in clearing the landmines and the land area that was cleared was
around 113 square kilometers, Ariyarathna said.
The Government's aim was to clear the landmines and explosive devices
in the Mullaitivu, Mannar and Kilinochchi areas and resettle the
internally displaced persons as soon as possible he noted.
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