SL can wrap-up demining soon - UN Resident Representative

"Sri Lanka has achieved excellent results in the demining programme. The country can complete demining process soon in continuing the present institutional setup and machinery, said United Nation's Resident Representative Subine Nandy at the progress review meeting of the National Mine Action Programme.

Subine Nandy

The meeting was held at the Economic Development Ministry under the patronage of minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday.

Nandy said Sri Lanka could progress well in the mine clearing operation due to the well coordinated efforts by the Economic Development Ministry through the mine Action Centre. The center was able to bring together donors, demining organizations, government institutions and people employed under the programme and well manage the process.

"The works carried out by the Ministry and the centre in this humanitarian movement is tremendous and now Sri Lanka can share its demining experience with other countries", he said.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa said the progress made by the country in demining helped to expedite reconstruction and resettlement works and initiate numerous development programmes in the conflict affected area. Initially, 2,061 square kilometres were confirmed as hazardous areas contaminated with mines, booby traps including IDS and other explosive.

About 1,943 square kilometres were cleared and only 118 square kilometres remain to be cleared. "As a result, we could start resettlement in all five districts in the North, open the Northern coastal belt, carry out reconstruction of A32, A12, A5 roads and two railway lines, open the eastern beaches for tourism, open the access roads to the Madu Church and Thirukeshwaran Hindu Temple".

Minister discussed the possibilities of sending Sri Lanka's demining experts and machinery for the use of other countries in the UN demining programmes.

Representatives of the UN agencies, donor agencies, US, Japan, Norway, Australian, Switzerland embassies, local and international demining organizations and government agencies participated.

A decision was taken to continue the work of the National Mine Action Programme until December 2013.