• Home
• Situation Reports
  • Joint Humanitarian Update
  • Emergency Situation Report
  • Disaster Management
  • NE monitoring Report
  • IASC Weekly Report
  • Humanitarian Snapshot (Gap Analysis)
• Who What Where
• Sectors & Clusters
  • Early Recovery
  • Education
  • Food / Food Security
  • Health
  • Logistics
  • Mine Action
  • Nutrition
  • Protection
  • Shelter
  • WASH
• Surveys
• Contact Directory
• Meetings
  • Meeting Schedules
  • Meeting Minutes
• Map Centre
  • Thematic Maps
  • Geographic Map
  • P-Codes
• Appeals & Funding
  • Financial Tracking
• Resources
  • Reference Papers
  • Vacancies
  • Trainings
  • Useful Links
• Media Centre
  • Press Releases & Statements
  • RSS Feeds
  • Newsletters
  • Photo Gallery
• About us
• FAQ
• Disclaimer

Sri Lanka’s Mine Action Needs
Mine action operations are a vital precursor to the return of IDPs. The significant mine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) contamination throughout the North and East of Sri Lanka not only presents a threat to the safety and welfare of the people living in or returning to these areas but also constraints reconstruction and recovery activities that need to be undertaken in support of these people.

Ten districts located in the North and East of Sri Lanka are contaminated with landmines and ERW: Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, and Vavuniya.  Survey and mine clearance operations are currently concentrated in the North in accordance with the Government’s resettlement plan. While the priority for clearance operations is still given to residential areas, an increasing number of tasks are issued targeting livelihood areas.

According to the Information Management System on Mine Action (IMSMA), Sri Lanka, between January 1, 2009 and July 18, 2010, 386,225,502 m2 of land was cleared in the North, of which 96% (369,807,300 m2) was Battle Area Clearance and the balance 4% (16,418, 202 m2) was minefield clearance using mechanical and manual methods. An estimated 475 km2 of contamination in Jaffna, Killinochchi, Mulaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar (as well as residual contamination in the East) have been identified through Non Technical and Technical Surveys as of 30 June 2010. The Non Technical Survey process of the North is expected to be completed towards the end of October 2010.

Sri Lanka’s National Mine Action Programme
The National Mine Action Programme operates under the leadership of the National Steering Committee on Mine Action (NSCMA), chaired by the Ministry of Economic Development. UNDP-supported District Mine Action Offices (DMAOs) in Jaffna and Vavuniya, with a sub-office in Mannar, support the Government Agents (GAs) to coordinate and manage mine and ERW clearance and Mine Risk Education in conflict affected districts. Sub offices in Killinochchi and Mulaitivu are expected to open in the near future.

On 14 July, 2010, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Mine Action Centre (NMAC), which will serve as the operational coordination body within the Ministry of Economic Development for mine action activities in the country. The Cabinet’s endorsement of the NMAC is an important step towards complete national ownership and responsibility of the management and coordination of mine action in Sri Lanka.

UNICEF with its NGO partners, Sarvodaya, the Community Trust Fund and a network of community-based volunteers conduct Mine Risk Education in the North and the East. Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system offers medical treatment to mine survivors. Mine victims also access the physical rehabilitation centers producing artificial limbs and assistive/mobility devices operated by NGOs such as Handicap International, the Jaffna Jaipur Center for Rehabilitation and the Valvuthayam Mannar Rehabilitation Center.

UNDP Support to Mine Action in Sri Lanka
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Support to Mine Action Project assists the Government of Sri Lanka to coordinate and manage mine action, notably mine and ERW clearance in the country. The Project is set up with a project management unit in Colombo and two DMAOs in Jaffna (covering the Jaffna and Kilinochchi District) and in Vavuniya (covering the Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Mannar, Mullativu, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya districts). A sub-DMAO Office is located in Mannar and sub offices are expected to open in Killinochchi and Mulaitivu in the near future to help administer mine action in the North.

The DMAO staff support the GAs to prioritize and assign survey and mine/ERW clearance tasks, conduct quality assurance/control operations, and organize District Mine Action Steering Committee meetings. Survey and mine/ERW removal operations are conducted by the Sri Lanka Army – Humanitarian Demining Unit, a Sri Lankan NGO – the Milinda Moragoda Institute for People’s Empowerment; and six INGO demining organizations: The Danish Demining Group (DDG), The HALO Trust, HORIZON, Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Sarvatra, and the Swiss Foundation for Demining (FSD).