August 28, Colombo (LNW): The government has intensified efforts to complete the clearance of landmines scattered across several regions of Sri Lanka—a legacy of the decades-long civil conflict.
The initiative is overseen by the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing and marks a significant push toward finalising one of the country’s most protracted post-war recovery tasks.
According to M. M. Naimudeen, Additional Secretary to the Ministry, mine clearance activities have been ongoing for over 20 years, with critical support from both domestic institutions and international humanitarian partners.
The campaign has led to the restoration of vast swathes of land previously deemed unsafe due to the threat of unexploded ordnance.
To date, more than 1,300 square kilometres of land—primarily in the Northern, Eastern, and North Central provinces—have been successfully demined, transforming once-inaccessible terrain into habitable and cultivable ground. These efforts have enabled the resettlement of nearly one million individuals, many of whom were displaced for years.
Despite the considerable progress, a remaining 22.7 square kilometres still await clearance. Authorities have vowed to accelerate work in these final areas, prioritising zones with high potential for resettlement and agriculture.
Officials stress that the safe return of residents to their ancestral lands, along with the restoration of livelihoods, remains a central objective of the ongoing programme.
