Sri Lanka landmine clearance program receives international praise

Hollywood actress and international demining ambassador Rosamund Pike has praised the progress of Sri Lanka’s landmine clearance program. During a meeting with Minister Susil Ranasinghe, Pike commended the successful implementation of demining efforts in the country.

Officials report that approximately 90 percent of the land previously identified as containing landmines has been successfully cleared. Only about 20.8 square kilometers of land remain, much of which consists of complex and difficult terrain. The government aims to declare Sri Lanka entirely landmine-free within the next four years.

To support this goal, the military plans to deploy 500 specially trained soldiers for demining tasks, with an annual target of clearing 1.5 square kilometers. Additionally, government funding for demining operations has doubled compared to the previous year.