Jaffna in Northern Sri Lanka will be mine-free soon

Demining in the Jaffna peninsula of Northern Sri Lanka has been accelerated and the peninsula will be a mine-free zone within next month, the Army said.


Jaffna Commanding Officer Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said demining and removal of unexploded devices in many areas of Jaffna including Nannankalappu have been stepped up. Already a major portion of the peninsula has been de-mined, he said.
The Commanding Officer said only 699 families are remaining to be resettled in Jaffna and their resettlement will be completed within 45 days. Required infrastructure is now being developed, he added.
According to Major General Hathurusinghe, the Army de-miners are removing mines along the Northern rail track. Work on the reconstruction of the rail track can commence as soon as demining is completed he said.
Several international demining organizations are assisting the Army, he added.
The United States yesterday announced that it will contribute Rs. 581 million ($5.417 million) for humanitarian demining needs in Sri Lanka from now through next summer.
Out of this Rs. 56 million ($500,000) is to be used to purchase six ambulances, nine personnel carriers, and six double-cab trucks for the Sri Lanka Army's Humanitarian Demining Unit.