The Government of Japan has extended further support for the humanitarian de-mining activities in Sri Lanka and has provided a grant amount to US$ 3.2 Million. (approximately Rs. 358 million) to five International Non Governmental Organizations (INGOO) in order to accelerate de-mining activities in the North & East. In addition to this grant, Japan has contributed more than US$ 12 million (approximately Rs. 1342 million) for mine clearance activities in the past to Sri Lanka.
The Five INGOs are, The Danish De-mining Group (DDG), The Halo Trust, The Mines Advisory Group (MAG), The Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) and The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD). The grants were provided for a period of one year, for de-mining activities in several locations in Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullativu.
According to the National Steering Committee for Mine Action, humanitarian de-miners have removed over 161,415 including Anti Personal Mines (APMs), Anti Tank Mines (ATMs) and Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) and cleared over 128 million square meters of land since humanitarian de-mining activities commenced in the North & East of Sri Lanka.
The Grant Funds will be utilized for continuation and strengthening of the current de-mining activities such as, personnel costs of de-mining staff and support staff, management of de-mining activities, maintenance of cost of de-mining equipment, purchase of manual de-mining equipment etc. More than 2000 local persons have been continuously engaged to contribute towards a mine-free Sri Lanka through this de-mining program supported by Japan.
The Government of Japan has been supporting to implement projects from Grassroots Level to large infrastructure projects throughout Sri Lanka, to benefit Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities through its Official Development Assistance for over 50 years. The final goal of all these support is to "Alleviate Poverty" and to facilitate self help initiatives within the people of Sri Lanka to achieve "Sustainable Development". Japan recognizes the importance of supporting Sri Lanka in its efforts towards 'Peace Building' and is seriously committed in bringing about lasting peace to the country and the people of Sri Lanka. The assistance provided for de-mining is considered as a main and important pillar of Japan's assistance for peace building in Sri Lanka. The steady flow of funds for 'humanitarian de-mining' activities has clearly demonstrated the high level of commitment as a single donor towards Sri Lanka's efforts in reaching a "mine - free Sri Lanka by 2008". Japan over the past few years has been addressing the emergency humanitarian needs of the resettled people in the North & East, and has extended a significant support to the Government of Sri Lanka towards the resettlement of the displaced populations comprising Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims communities of the North & East.
Signing of the Grant Contracts took place at the "Lakshman Kadiragamar Insititute for International Relations & Strategic Studies" on 20th July, 2007 between the H E Mr. Kiyoshi Araki, Ambassador of Japan and the representatives of the INGOs Organizations. Hon. Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management & Human Rights, Mr. W K K Kumarasiri, Secretary to the Ministry of Nation Building & Estate Infrastructure Development, Mr. M S Jayasinghe, Senior Advisor, other Embassy officers, representatives of the other Organizations and several other Government Officials were also present at the occasion. (END)