The strategy of mine action in Sri Lanka is to focus humanitarian mine action in support of resettlement and reconstruction activity. Mine activity supports the government’s goal of clearing all high priority areas by end-2006.

Structures to coordinate landmine-related policy and operations and to guide the numerous national and international implementing organizations have already been established. Countrywide oversight is provided by the National Steering Committee for Mine Action (NSCMA), based in Colombo. It is chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation and has representatives from stake holding ministries, Government Agents of affected districts, donors, mine operators and the UN. In the mine affected areas operational coordination and tasking is provided by Mine Action Offices (MAO) in Jaffna, Killinochchi and Vavuniya. Focal Points have been appointed in GA offices in Mannar, Trincomalee and Batticaloa, and serviced by the Vavuniya MAO. Priorities for clearance and other mine action activity are set by consulting with all stakeholders and with the demining actors operating in each specific area so that assets can be deployed as efficiently as possible.

The mine action programme in Sri Lanka has achieved a great deal in the short period it has been in operation. Several million square metres of land, schools, hospitals, roads, and access to waterways have been released from the effects of mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improvised explosive devices (IED). Access to land has enabled reconstruction and rehabilitation. Thousands of civilians have moved back into cleared land, resulting in re cultivation, and a renewal of economic and other activity. Mine casualties have decreased from an average of 15 per month just after the ceasefire to between 4 and 7 a month at present. Mine Action and other development projects have been integrated to ensure mine action does not take place in a vacuum.

The largest operators are the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the Humanitarian Demining Unit (HDU), an implementing arm of the Tamil’s Rehabilitation Organisation. Humanitarian demining teams of the Sri Lankan army were trained and equipped by RONCO Corporation in 2003 and 2004. The HDU has received support from Norwegian People’s Aid, Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), and most recently, the Danish Demining Group (DDG). The latter two organizations are also active in government-controlled areas. The HALO Trust has concentrated its presence in Jaffna, where it has over 200 staff; it now also works in Trincomalee. Two Indian nongovernmental organizations, Sarvatra and Horizon, work in Vavuniya and Mannar respectively. In addition, the Japan Centre for Conflict Prevention (JCCP) has established a mine action NGO that began clearance in Sri Lanka in 2004, in partnership with DDG. It is presently operational in the Vavuniya district.

Mine Risk Education (MRE) is primarily supported through UNICEF, which has adopted a strategy of institutional and local capacity building, establishment of coordination and reporting mechanisms, and integration of mine-risk education with mine action and other humanitarian sectors. It organizes community-based mine-risk education through local NGOs, and works with the National Institute for Education to add mine risk education to school curricula. Sarvodaya, The Refugee Resettlement Organization (TRRO), White Pigeon (WP), Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Community Trust Fund (CTF) and the National Institute for Education (NIE) – which has incorporated MRE in school curriculum in the North and East - are involved in MRE activity.

Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation, AROD, Family Rehabilitation Centre, White Pigeon, Shanthiham, Jaffna Teaching Hospital, Sarvodaya, Handicap International and Valvuthayam are involved in Survivor Assistance. These agencies provide prosthetic limbs, psychosocial counseling, vocational training and micro-finance facilities for those affected by mines and UXO.

The Landmine Ban Advocacy Forum (LBAF), Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines, the Inter-Religious Peace Foundation and Landmine Action (UK) and Geneva Call are involved in Advocacy against the use of anti-personnel landmines. They continue to urge both parties to sign and adhere to the provisions of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty and the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment.

UNDP assists Sri Lanka primarily in coordination by supporting the NSCMA, the MAO, and NGOs. Key among these are, assisting in building the capacity of national staff and local mechanisms, assisting in drafting the Sri Lanka National Mine Action Standards, assisting in the development of Work Plans for affected areas, strengthening the Quality Assurance capacity of Mine Action Offices, managing the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) database on the request of and on behalf of the government as an interim measure, and assisting other agencies to integrate mine action into developmental projects (electricity re-supply programmes, bridge reconstruction and road rehabilitation). Its staff work at all levels to assist mine action operators and to build Sri Lanka’s capacities for a sustainable response.