By IANS,
Colombo : Australia has released an additional Rs.480 million for demining in Sri Lanka.
The funding was released in conjunction with the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, observed on April 4, a statement from the Australian high commission here said.
This additional funding will enable local and international demining agencies to continue accelerated mine surveys, clearance and mine risk education in the northern and eastern Provinces.
It will also support mine action coordination activities led by the Sri Lanka National Mine Action Centre.
Australia’s contribution recognizes the critical need to help people displaced by the ethnic conflict to return home and to re-establish their livelihoods in their places of origin.
Almost two years after the end of the war, about 506 sq km remain to be demined in Sri Lanka’s northeast, where the Tamil Tigers were active until they were crushed in May 2009.