Military Spokesperson Brigadier Ubaya Medawala says that the de-mining programme is progressing well, but that it is a very tedious process, as land has to be cleared inch by inch.
UNDP Senior Programme Manager for Mine Action, Wuria Karadaghy has told the local media that mine clearance remains one of the most important aspects with regard to resettlement.
He has explained that the first step is to remove mines from the resettlement area, in order to facilitate the people returning to their homes. The next step would involve making it possible for them to carry on with their livelihoods.
Karadaghy observed that since most of the IDPs were fishermen, or farmers, in order to return to their jobs, agricultural land in the area, too, must be cleared of landmines and that de-mining of such land has only just begun.
The eastern part of A9, where the last battle against the LTTE took place, remains heavily contaminated, with the Mullaitivu area being most critical.
According to Karadaghy, there could be no complete guarantee that the areas would be entirely clear of mines. "There will always be a risk factor, which we need to prevent and avoid. This depends on the capacity of Mine Risk Education (MRE)," he said.
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