Japan provides Rs. 115 million for humanitarian demining activities in northern Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Japan has provided $ 636,363 (around Rs. 115 million) to the HALO Trust for humanitarian demining activities in northern Sri Lanka.

The project will contribute to the efforts of the government of Sri Lanka in ensuring that mine-contaminated areas are safe, enabling the resettlement of the displaced people.

This enhances directly or indirectly more than 5,000 people’s livelihoods in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna Districts.

The grant contract was signed between Sugiyama Akira, ambassador of Japan, and Belinda Vause, program manager of the HALO Trust.

The contract was signed remotely due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

Commenting on the provision of this grant, Belinda Vause stated:

“Japanese support to The HALO Trust alone has led to the clearance of 9.12 square km of contaminated land and the removal of over 94,000 mines and other explosive remnants of war.”