Demining to be speeded in Mullaitivu: Military spokesman

The demining process is to be speeded in and around the Mullaitivu areas to resettle the balance approximately 28,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) still in five welfare centres, says Military spokesman Major General Ubhaya Medawala.

Up to now some 1,800 square kilometres have been cleared of land mines, booby traps and other explosive devices. Some 33,326 land mines and 185,840 anti personnel mines have been uncovered from these areas, says the spokesman.

Of the nearly 1,300 sq. kms in Mullaitivu, only 130 sq. kms. have been demined as the process has been slow due to the thick jungle areas in this region and they have to be very careful. Around 1,100 demining personnel from the Army Engineers and eight Non-Governmental organizations are engaged in demining, according to the Military spokesman.

Almost all of those in the IDP welfare centres now are originally from the Mullaitivu and Puthukudiiruppu areas which bore the brunt of the final battles between the Sri Lankan security forces and the separatists and the demining process is being expedited to resettle them in their original areas as soon as possible.