A lasting legacy of more than 20 years of civil conflict, there are an estimated 1-1.5 million mines in Sri Lanka, including large barrier minefields around former Sri Lankan Army and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) front lines, smaller defensive minefields around key civilian and military installations, and thousands of items of UXO.

Working in partnership with the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), MAG was informed soon after the tsunami struck that a military base in Kallady, near Batticaloa town, had been badly damaged and civilian housing by the camp was destroyed. Tragically, MAG has lost three colleagues from the TRO to the tsunami.

Small amount of mines displaced

Media reports of hundreds of displaced or floating mines in this district were found to be exaggerated. MAG carried out a preliminary technical assessment with other NGOs and the UN and found a small amount of mines had been displaced from the camp area in Kallady and later destroyed. Thousands of Mine Risk Education (MRE) leaflets have been distributed to inform locals on what to do if they come across any mines or UXO. So far, there have been no reported mine accidents following the tsunami in this area.

Immediate priority

MAG teams are continuing their landmine operations in the Vanni and Batticaloa however the immediate priority on the ground is the relief effort. Three teams have been tirelessly supporting the clear-up using MAG vehicles to ferry the dead from the disaster area and transport food to the temporary camps set up in schools and public buildings. Further north in affected Kilinochchi MAG’s staff are again helping with the clear up and initial assessments suggest there is no immediate danger from displaced mines in this area.

MAG is using the Bozena machine (pictured) and manual deminers in Kallady.

MAG’s head of operations Rob White said: “There’s a continuous need to warn people of the possible dangers from displaced mines particularly when people try to rebuild their homes. While our assessments have identified few incidents we cannot be complacent and will need to provide assessment, mine marking and educational operations throughout the coming months.”