Colombo: Most of Sri Lanka's war-time
minefields, which were found to be smaller than originally
estimated, have been cleared since the end of the ethnic
conflict in May 2009, the army said on Friday.
"The Sri Lanka Army de-miners estimated that about 6215
sq kms of area contaminated of mines and explosive remnants as
the war came to an end in 2009, but it was later found that
confirmed hazardous areas were restricted only to an area of
about 2046 sq kms".
The military said the area laid with anti-personnel mines
in the country's north and east has been found to be smaller
than originally estimated.
"All agencies involved in de-mining in Sri Lanka were
able to clear 1,912 square kilometres by September 2011 and
the remaining contaminated area is now restricted to about 133
square kilometres," the army said in a statement.
De-mining of the battle fields began with the Norwegian
backed peace accord in 2002.
The programme has been stepped up since the conflict
ended in May 2009.
The Army and eight more foreign funded agencies are
involved in mine clearance.
PTI
First Published: Friday, November 04, 2011, 21:44