Japan extends US$ 785,000 for demining

The Government of Japan extended an additional US$ 785,000 (Rs. 86 million) grant aid for humanitarian demining in the North of Sri Lanka through the HALO Trust to expedite the efforts of the Sri Lankan Government to achieve a mine-free Sri Lanka.

Japan has been a major donor supporting mine clearance in Sri Lanka to accelerate the return and resettlement of Displaced Persons and to facilitate the recommencement of agriculture and other livelihood activities of returnees. In 2011, the Government of Japan has extended US$ 2.2 million (around Rs. 250 million) grant aid for mine clearance including this project through the HALO Trust, Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony Sri Lanka (DASH) and Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), and has provided an accumulated amount of US$ 23 million (Rs. 2,500 million) since 2003 for demining activities in the North and the East under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Japan hopes that this assistance would directly benefit people at the grassroots level, ensuring the security of the people. Adam Jasinski, Programme Manager, The HALO Trust, said, "We are very grateful to the Government of Japan for its continuing support, which will allow the HALO Trust to employ 200 local deminers and focus on clearing high-priority minefields in Kilinochchi and Jaffna Districts."