Sri Lanka Works Toward a Mine-Free Nation

Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Volume 15 Issue 1 The Journal of ERW and Mine Action Article 16

April 2011

Sri Lanka Works Toward a Mine-free Nation

Vidya Abhayagunawardena Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines

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Recommended Citation Abhayagunawardena, Vidya (2011) "Sri Lanka Works Toward a Mine-free Nation," The Journal of ERW and Mine Action : Vol. 15 : Iss. 1 , Article 16. Available at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cisr-journal/vol15/iss1/16

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Sri Lanka difficult, and when conflict escalated in 2000, Sri Lanka Works Toward a the mine-action project was suspended.2 Since 2002, after a formal cease-fire agreement, the Mine-free Nation Sri Lankan government and the international community have undertaken a large-scale mine-action program This article discusses Sri Lanka’s steps to demine its land, educate its citizens on landmine and un- in the northern and eastern regions. Although the gov- exploded-ordnance dangers, and offer survivor-assistance services. Sri Lanka’s national mine-action ernment and program partners work tirelessly to speed program is building on previous mine-action work done by the government and humanitarian organi- up the demining process, they estimate that another 10 zations by presenting a workshop on demining issues, developing a mine-action center and improving years or more are needed to clear the mine-contaminated partnerships with concerned organizations. land. As a result, Sri Lanka struggles to progress in infra- structure development, resettlement of internally dis- by Vidya Abhayagunawardena [ Freelance Researcher ] placed persons, operation of social services, restoration of livelihoods in conflict-affected areas and the establishment of Sri Lanka as a mine-free country.

Mine-action Workshop UNICEF facilitated a Technical Working Group OTES FROM THE FIELD THE FROM OTES workshop in Sri Lanka in August 2010. Key government N entities that participated included the Ministry of Eco- nomic Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Services, Sri Lankan Army’s Humanitarian De- mining Unit, and Social Departments of the Northern and Eastern Provincial Councils. Partner nongovernmental organizations such as Community Trust Fund, Handicap International, Motivation, Rural Development Foundation, Sarvodaya and Social Organizations Net- working for Development also attended the workshop. Participants developed new strategies to educate people in mine-safe behavior, how best to ensure support for victims of landmines and other explosive devices, and In Jaffna, Sarvodaya uses drama to teach MRE. how to strengthen mine-action advocacy. Discussion Photo courtesy of SLNMAC/UNICEF. topics focused on victim assistance; coordination among the mine-action stakeholders; how MRE can prevent in- lize the required resources to make Sri Lanka free from jury and fatalities; and the need for MRE prior to safe re- the threat of landmines/ERW [explosive remnants of settlement and development in the north and east. war] through education, threat prevention and elim- ination in accordance with SLNMAC.” This center’s A commemoration ceremony for the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Sri Lanka. SL National Mine Action Centre Emerges establishment will enhance Sri Lanka’s mine-action Photo courtesy of Sarvodaya. The Sri Lankan government, in a recent Cabinet deci- efforts and encourage concerned parties to efficiently n 2009, Sri Lanka ended nearly Humanitarian mine action be- cial mine-action project did not be- sion, approved the setup of the Sri Lanka National Mine partner with the mine-action program in Sri Lanka. three decades of protracted con- gan in Sri Lanka in 1997 with the gin until July 1999. This U.N. project Action Centre under the Ministry of Economic Develop- SLNMAC plans to prepare a national victim-assis- flict. Unfortunately, the country implementation of a mine-risk-ed- implemented mine-awareness activ- ment, a coordinating body of the Presidential Task Force, tance strategy in the coming months with the support wasI also left with thousands of land- ucation program, coordinated by ities, Technical Surveys, emergen- as a new stepping stone toward a mine-free Sri Lanka. As of UNICEF, which will help coordinate work among mines and pieces of unexploded ord- UNICEF and the United Nations cy clearance and the gathering of a SLNMAC National Director Money Ranathunge said at stakeholders and provide technical support for strate- nance, especially in the North and Development Programme.1 The next mine-action database. However, as the TWG workshop, the center’s mission is “To devel- gizing victim-assistance efforts. The strategy is expect- East, which has posed a major threat year, the government partnered with mine-action operations proceeded, op and implement a sustainable national mine action ed to call for ensuring that existing health-care and for the island nation’s people, envi- UNDP to conduct some clearance mines were continuing to be laid. program able to plan, coordinate, implement and mon- social-service systems, rehabilitation programs, and ronment and biodiversity. and Technical Surveys, but an offi- This made a systematic clearance of itor all aspects of mine action in Sri Lanka and mobi- legislative and policy frameworks are adequate to meet

people in 61 divisional secretari- educating the public regarding mine ternational community. Hope for ats3 and IDP camps with communi- dangers. Public participation and campaign support was seen in The ty-based MRE. As of 31 December support at all levels is needed; gov- National Strategy for Mine Action 2010, the MRE program had reached ernment and partner organizations in Sri Lanka,5 released in September 392,540 people (87,326 men, 99,540 alone cannot educate all citizens. 2010 by the Ministry of Econom- women, 102,179 boys and 103,495 ic Development. The strategy en- girls). MRE recipients demonstrat- Survivor Assistance courages grassroots movements and ed mine-safe behavior by report- Sri Lanka’s survivor-assistance senior decision-makers in govern- ing 672 suspected dangerous objects strategy will take a rights-based ap- ment, security forces and civil soci- and hazardous areas during 2010. proach, as specified in the Interna- ety groups to support the ban. The program hopes to reduce civil- tional Campaign to Ban Landmines Sri Lanka is making progress to- ian landmine casualties, which in- framework and the U.N. Conven- ward becoming a mine-free nation, cluded 123 killed, 453 injured and tion on the Rights of Persons with which could be a good example for 734 unknown from 1999–2009, ac- Disabilities. As per U.N. policy, other countries. Further demining cording to the Landmine & Cluster concerned parties will ensure that efforts will ensure that humans and Munition Monitor.4 activities benefit all people with dis- animals can walk anywhere in Sri The Sri Lanka Police Service also abilities, including mine survivors Lanka in a few years’ time without hopes to strengthen, expand and sus- and the families of those killed by fear of landmines and UXO. Technical Working Group participants. Photo courtesy of the author. tain countrywide MRE. The SL Po- mines. The Sri Lankan government see endnotes page 83 lice Service is currently being trained and concerned parties need to take all citizens’ needs—including land- fected areas by 2020 to allow people for new opportunities to partner with to deliver MRE. Using the SLPolice a leading role in survivor assistance mine survivors and deceased vic- to begin rebuilding their livelihoods the Sri Lankan Army, government au- Service to deliver MRE has some ad- and mobilize the long-term resourc- tims’ family members. from the land is LNMAC’s cur- thorities and nongovernmental orga- vantages: It employs bilingual police es. The outcome of these coordinat- rent goal. Factoring in the annual nizations to speed up demining and officers (there is a widespread police ed efforts by various stakeholders Demining Progress clearance average since 2002 of 171 post-clearance recovery programs. presence throughout the country) will be that survivors can access Currently, nine organizations square kilometers (66 square miles), and it can easily mobilize its peo- quality and sustainable medical, are demining in Sri Lanka’s north- however, indicates that the required MRE Campaigns ple and hold officers accountable for social and economic rehabilitation ern and eastern parts: the Sri Lank- time to clear the remaining areas Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Educa- achieving maximum results. services, and will be empowered to Vidya Abhayagunawardena received an Army’s Humanitarian Demining would be nearly 15 years. To reach tion has taken a broader approach to In addition to current MRE cam- advocate for their rights. a Bachelor of Business Administra- tion from the University of Northwood Unit, The HALO Trust, Danish De- SLNMAC’s clearance goal in the 10- MRE with UNICEF’s support. One paigns, Sri Lanka needs sustain- (United States). He holds a diploma in mining Group, Fondation Suisse de year time frame, increased contribu- important step in this approach was able MRE campaigns that will lead Future Steps marketing from The Chartered Insti- tute of Marketing (United Kingdom) and Déminage, MAG (Mines Advisory tions of human resources, as well as educating the educators; principals to total landmine and ERW eradi- Sri Lanka is now free from war’s a mass-media diploma from Media Group), Sarvatra, Horizon, Milinda physical and financial support will and selected teachers from all north- cation. Utilizing social marketing threat, but its land must still be freed Foundation in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Cur- rently he is enrolled in a postgradu- Moragoda Institute for Peoples’ Em- be required. ern and eastern schools have received strategies can draw religious and from the lingering dangers of land- ate master’s program in development powerment and Delvon Assistance According to the United Nations MRE training. Numerous schools in community-based organizations to mines and UXO. Beyond imple- studies at the University of Colombo. Abhayagunawardena works as a free- for Social Harmony. The Ministry of Development Programme, mine- the most affected areas are taking a partner with government and cur- menting the national mine-action lance researcher in socioeconomic Economic Development released in- action agencies are struggling to creative approach to MRE: Educa- rent MRE organizations in this plan, the time has come for the Sri development and is a campaigner for the Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines. formation in September 2010 stat- keep up with the sudden increase in tional messages are displayed through long-term goal. Temples, churches, Lankan government to accede to Vidya Abhayagunawardena ing that, according to the Sri Lankan demands for mine and UXO clear- wall paintings; activities such as dra- mosques and centers for communi- the Convention on the Prohibition of No. 69, Gregory’s Road Army, military and humanitarian ance, MRE and survivor-assistance mas and art competitions are held; ty-based organizations can deliver the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Colombo 7 / Sri Lanka Tel: +94 112 682380 demining had cleared 366,870 mines services. Agencies are working to ex- and messages printed on stationery, life-saving messages by becoming Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines Mobile: +94 77 355 9878 since mine-action efforts began in pand their technical capacities to meet schoolbags and water bottles are dis- voluntary MRE centers in their re- and on their Destruction (also know E-mail: [email protected] 1999. As of 31 August 2010, recently the needs, and UNDP is stepping up tributed. To ensure MRE’s sustain- spective communities. The private as the AP Mine Ban Convention or conducted Technical Surveys in the by adding more staff to its district ability, the MoE will include MRE in sector has a pivotal role to play if it APMBC), which would support the north and existing data from the east mine-action offices, hoping that will next year’s school curriculum as well. uses its corporate social responsibil- goals of the Campaign to Ban Land- revealed that mines/ERW still con- satisfy complex and growing demands The MoE is not the only enti- ity programs to support Sri Lanka’s mines in Sri Lanka. By acceding to taminate 552 square kilometers (213 for coordination and management. ty delivering MRE; national NGOs mine-action program. Even the Sri the APMBC, Sri Lanka would also square miles). Clearing the most af- Mine-action agencies are also looking in 2009 reached more than 250,000 Lankan Army’s HDU participates in receive more assistance from the in-