300,000 landmines cleared in Northern Sri Lanka: HALO Trust

A HALO Trust demining employee engaged in clearing the land in North. Pix: HALO Trust

HALO's Sri Lankan staff marked clearing their 300,000th landmine in the north this week, having returned 120 km² of safe land back to communities over the past two decades, the global demining agency said in a statement.

Mr Subramaniyam Muralithran, Government Agent of Kilinochchi said: "I am happy to share the very encouraging news for the people of Kilinochchi District, which was greatly affected by landmines and cluster bombs causing many to lose limbs. We have cleared 300,000 targets in mine clearance work. This achievement will help restore resources for resettlement and peaceful living. It also gives us confidence that the natural life of the mine-affected areas can be bravely rebuilt."

Over 280,000 former internally displaced persons have now returned safely to their homes and most of the land is clear, according to the demining organisation. HALO and other demining operators continue to work at pace to clear the remaining contaminated areas to fully open up the pristine north of the island to tourists who flock to Sri Lanka every year, netting the country more than $3bn in 2024.

"These minefields were laid when I was still in primary school. I remember hearing about them in the newspapers. Today, I'm proud to be part of the team leading their clearance. Reaching the milestone of 300,000 landmines removed is not just a number; it represents lives saved and land returned to communities," said Vithoozen Antony, Operations Manager, HALO Sri Lanka.