Fresh Australian assistance for mine-clearing in Vanni

P. Ragunathan, MAG Technical Field Manager explains a typical mine to High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson

Australia has announced fresh funding for de-mining operations in the Vanni region over the next two years. Australian High Commission spokesperson said that Australian 700,000 would be given to two orgnizations, Mine Action Group (MAG) and Sri Lankan organisation Devlon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH) engaged in mine clearing operations. The following is the text of statement issued by the Australia HC yesterday: "This new funding will provide vital additional mine clearance capacity in Mannar, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi Districts of the Northern Province. It will allow many families to return to their land, re-establish lives and reconstruct critical assets.

"Australia has been one of the largest contributors to demining in Sri Lanka over the years, contributing $A20 million (around LKR 2 billion) since 2009.

"Sri Lanka acceded to the international Mine Ban Treaty in December 2017, with the treaty entering into force for Sri Lanka on 1 June this year. Australia welcomes this important step, which builds on the commitment in Sri Lanka’s National Mine Action Strategy for the country to be ‘mine impact free’ by 2020.

Australia’s renewed support for demining in Sri Lanka was announced in Geneva on 8 June during the Intersessional Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty – the first such meeting attended by Sri Lanka as a State Party."