Video: De-mining: only 82 sq km remain

2 April 2014 12:13 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While claiming that more than 1 million land mines had been unearthed so far in the de-mining process, the Army said today the lands with landmines in the North had been reduced to 82 square kilometers from 2,064 square kilometers because of the successful efforts of Sri Lankan Army and the assistance of local and international Non-Governmental Organisations.

“We have found and destroyed more than one million of land mines and explosives so far. We have cleared 60-70 percent of landmines in north and those lands are ready for resettlement. Army and nine local and international Non-Governmental Organisations are engage in the de-mining process. Most of these lands that had been cleared are the homelands of the internally displaced and farming lands. The rest, yet to be cleared are mainly forest areas,” Army Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said.

He compared with other countries Sri Lanka had been able to move ahead in the de-mining process in a short period.

“Some countries like Vietnam and Cambodia are still carrying out de-mining process,” he said.

He said that the de-mining process was carried out to international standards set by the United Nations. “United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) searches the grounds that we have cleared and the resettlement would be done only after its approval,” he said. (SD & LSP)

Video by Sanath Desmond

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Comments - 14

adjith Wednesday, 02 April 2014 05:58 PM

well done SL army and the others via DM Android App

Soldaduwa Wednesday, 02 April 2014 06:13 PM

A great job by the Sri Lankan Army and INGOs concerned. The resettlement process could not have been expeditiously achieved if not for the selfless commitment and hard work of the mine clearing teams. Well done and your work to expedite normalcy in the areas of conflict will always be remembered by grateful citizens. via DM iPad app

ABC Wednesday, 02 April 2014 06:58 PM

Thanks for making our country a safer place by risking your lives. May triple gems bless you! via DM Android App

rosebud Wednesday, 02 April 2014 07:43 PM

We owe the de - mining teams a debt of gratitude for successfully undertaking this dangerous task. Thank you and well done! via DM Android App

Chanaka Wednesday, 02 April 2014 08:24 PM

shouldn't say this, the white bullies will be very angry cos the diaspora's land grabbing is confirmed as fake to the int.community! LOL via DM Android App

winterwolf Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:41 PM

dont risk your lives. those occupying the areas will never appreciate your invaluble efforts. let the mines remain where they are, at least ppl remember there were tamil terrorists via DM Android App

jim pappa Wednesday, 02 April 2014 05:05 PM

Demining is a painstaking and tedious job, not to mention the grave risks involved. 2000 sq. km. in five years is good speed indeed. Thank all of you , who risked your life and limb to make this land habitable.

Lak Malli Wednesday, 02 April 2014 05:42 PM

Thank you for saving my Motherland :-)

So Land mines are not human rights violations?

Who will have the guts to file a case against LTTE for human rights violations, such as planting land mines? Perhaps terrorists have the rights to violate human rights!

Fawzan Wednesday, 02 April 2014 06:44 PM

In the past many statement made by military and defense secretary subsequently found to be utter false including “zero casualty human rescue operation”. Can this claim verifiable independently?

saddu Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:37 AM

Resettlement would be done for whom originally displaced people or as paste for the government .

Saman Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:48 AM

A big thank you to our boys in uniform. Thank you for making SL a safer place. Thank you for killing the LTTE terrorist and letting all of us living without fear. Thank you for showing to the entire world that terrorism can actually be defeated and wiped out. You are the pride of Sri Lanka. May triple gem bless you!

Noah Don Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:54 AM

Still does not stop the resoultion for war crimes committed during the last stages of the war going ahead

Ando Thursday, 03 April 2014 04:27 AM

[quote name="Fawzan"]In the past many statement made by military and defense secretary subsequently found to be utter false including “zero casualty human rescue operation”. Can this claim verifiable independently?[/quote]

I like this comment. Seriously, who would believe that ZERO casualty bla bla bla...?

Saskia Thursday, 03 April 2014 05:46 AM

With the same speed remove the military from North as well.

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Video: De-mining: only 82 sq km remain

Comments - 14

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