The government on Saturday said that mine clearing operations in the Northern Province is coming to an end, with less than 100 sq km of mine-infested area left.
The National Mine Action Center, which was established in the Ministry of Economic Development, said that confirmed hazard area left to be cleared of anti-personnel mines was just 96 sq-kms.
In other words, 95 per cent of the estimated 2064 sq-kms has been cleared by March end. The remaining area is shrubs and thick jungle, authorities said.
“Within three year period, the government was able to resettle all the displaced persons due to the conflict followed by massive pace of de-mining,” the Economic Development Ministry said, adding, that several demining agencies have already moved out after completing their tasks while the remaining organizations are still continuing.
Demining began in June 2009, right after the end of the three decades long armed clashes with the Tamil rebels.
Both the LTTE and the Lankan Army used anti-personnel mines as a major weaponry to defend their territories in the northern parts of the island nation.
Sri Lanka’s demining action was funded by Australia, Japan, China, India, EU, US and also by UNDP and UNICEF.
