De-mining continued : IDPs has dropped to 35,510 out of the 300,000
'The de-mining programme is progressing well although
it is a very tedious process, as land has to be cleared inch by inch,'
Military Spokesperson Brigadier Ubaya Medawala said.
UNDP Senior Programme Manager for Mine Action, Wuria
Karadaghy said the mine clearance remains one of the most important
aspects with regard to resettlement.
As of yesterday (26 July), the number of IDPs has
dropped to 35,510 IDPs out of the 300,000 who escaped from being kept as
human shields by the LTTE during the battle last year. They have been
resettled in lands certified as cleared of mines.
Karadaghy explained that the first step is to remove
mines from the resettlement area, in order to facilitate the people
returning to their homes. The next step would involve making it possible
for them to carry on with their livelihoods.
Karadaghy observed that since most of the IDPs were
fishermen, or farmers, in order to return to their jobs, agricultural
land in the area, too, must be cleared of landmines and that de-mining
of such land has only just begun.
The eastern part of A9, where the last battle against
the LTTE took place, remains heavily contaminated, with the Mullaitivu
area being most critical.
Courtesy - PRIU | 
