Prime Minster David Cameron has recently announced a new programme to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war from areas of Northern Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Cameron explained that the UK Government will fund £2.1 million over 2 years for a new demining programme which will clear landmines from some of the most heavily mined areas of the country. The programme will allow heavily contaminated land to be returned to local communities.
“As part of our support for reconciliation efforts across this country, we will provide an additional £2.1 million to support demining work in Jaffna, in Kilinochchi and in Mullaitivu districts – the location of some of the most chilling scenes from Channel 4’s No Fire Zone documentary.” Prime Minister Cameron commented.
“The presence of landmines threatens people’s lives, blocks economic development and prevents access to agricultural land in some of the world’s poorest countries. We will continue to help transform the lives of millions of people to live free from the fear of landmines, to cultivate land and to build up businesses.” International Development Minister, Justine Greening commented.
Prime Minister Cameron explained that the funding will clear approximately 2 million square metres of land per year in the most complex, heavily mined areas of the country. Complete clearance is expected in the district of Jaffna and near complete clearance in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.