Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Report launched

The Sinhala and Tamil versions of the “Landmine and Cluster Munitions Monitor 2018 – Sri Lanka” section was launched by the Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines (SLCBL) in December last  year at the Auditorium of Jaffna Public Library. 

During the event the documentary “Quest for a mine-free land” produced by the Government Film Unit in collaboration with the SLCBL was screened for the first time in Sri Lanka. The documentary was first screened at the Office of United Nations in Geneva in November 2018 during the 17th Meeting of the State Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty.   

Due to mines and ERWs accidents many people have died or lost their limbs - -Nagalingam Vethanayagam

Jaffna District Secretary and Government Agent Nagalingam Vethanayagam thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for acceding to the Mine Ban Treaty last year. He mentioned that due to mines and ERWs accidents many people have died or lost their limbs. Even after the war concluded people are still affected by mines and ERWs.  He said that acceding to the Treaty would make people happier and together help make Sri Lanka a mine-free country in 2020.

Vidya Abhayagunawardena, Coordinator SLCBL and Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Country Researcher for Sri Lanka mentioned that the event was historic since it was the first time that Sinhala and Tamil translations of Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor 2018 report were launched. It also marked the first occasion when the documentary “Quest for a mine free land” was being screened in Sri Lanka. Officials of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention, Landmine and Cluster Munitions Monitor participated in celebrating the first anniversary of Sri Lanka becoming a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty.  

It was the first time that Sinhala and Tamil translations of Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor report were launched. - Vidya Abhayagunawardena

Loren Persi Victim Assistance Research Coordinator of Landmine and Cluster Munitions Monitor from Geneva, Firoz Alizada Implementation Support Officer of the Mine Ban Treaty from Geneva, Dr. J. Ganeshamoorthy Chairperson of the Jaffna Jaipur Center for Disability Rehabilitation, S. Senthurajah Executive Director of SOND, Belinda Vause Programme Manager Sri Lanka for the HALO Trust, Prasanna Kuruppu Advisor Disability Organizations Joint Front, Nillasi Liyanage Youth Coordinator SLCBL, representatives of demining agencies DASH and SHARP, Mine Risk Education organizations, representatives of local and international organizations, universities and the others who participated in the event.