Army expedites de-mining for resettlement in North

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Sri Lanka Army has expedited the de-mining process in the areas earmarked for resettlement in the North. “The prioritised area is 875 square kilometres and the Army de-miners are taking every possible measure to complete it as soon as possible,” Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe said.

To speed up the de-mining process the Sri Lanka Army has deployed over 1,000 soldiers of the Engineers, Corps.

Seven Non-Governmental Organisations are also involved in the de-mining process,” Maj. Gen. Samarasighe said.

The Oddusudan and Nedunkerni areas in Mullaitivu, Kokavil to Kilinochchi along the A9 road, the B69 road from Pooneryn to Paranthan, A35 road from Mullaitivu to Paranthan and the areas from Mannar to Manthai North are prioritised under the current de-mining program.

According to Maj. Gen. Samarasinghe 480 civilians had been injured due to landmine explosions and thus resettlements will take place only after the Low Risk Certificate is issued by the Sri Lanka Army.

Already 183,219 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been resettled in their own villages after the areas were cleared of landmines.

Mullaitivu has been selected for de-mining. In Meritimepattu, Mannar, an area of 350 square kilometre has been completely de-mined.

The Army had handed over 18 Grama Niladhari Divisions of Manthai West and East and in the Kondhachchi village in the Mannar district after completing the de-mining.

Another 10 Grama Niladhari divisions of the same areas are completely de-mined and will be handed over to the officials soon, he said.

Army personnel deployed in the Jaffna peninsula are constructing 680 houses for IDP families in the area. Already 437 housing units have been completed and will be handed over to the families in April. Each house covers a floor area of 224 square feet. The remaining houses will be completed within the next three months.