Over 1,930 sq. kms cleared of landmines in North
An area exceeding 1,934 out of 2,061 square kilometres of lands in
the North which were dotted with land mines and booby traps have been
cleared by the end of 2011 and Economic Development Minister Basil
Rajapaksa has given specific directives to expedite the clearing of the
remaining 126 square kilometres.
According to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, a
contingent of 3,600 persons who are trained in mine clearing are
involved in the clearance of remaining lands and they are mainly from
the humanitarian demining unit of the Sri Lanka Army and other foreign
and local organizations.
Mine clearance activities are closely monitored by the Humanitarian
Mines Clearance Centre which is functioning under the Economic
Development Ministry.
More than 759,138 landmines, booby traps and unexploded devices have
been recovered by the deminers so far.
An Economic Development Ministry official added that the Government
has brought down more than 39 demining machines to the country. The
Humanitarian Demining unit of Sri Lanka Army's Engineering Corps is
playing key role in the mine clearance.
In addition to six foreign organizations, two national organizations
are involved in the mine clearance in the North.
The government had to face impediment to resettle over 300,000 people
who were displaced by terrorist atrocities in the North due to lands
dotted with mines and booby traps.
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