Danger of landmines in nearly half of Jaffna peninsula

49,7 sq kms of Jaffna peninsula (44%) are identified infested with land mines sown during war, according to Jaffna District Secretariat survey statistics. The explosive devices so far removed in Jaffna peninsula excluding the outskirts of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) High Security Zone (HSZ) in Valikaamam North are more than 120,000. The residents of Valikaamam North evicted by occupying SLA 20 years ago still live in interim camps as SLA refuses to permit them to resettle in their own properties.

Land mines in 27,92 sq kms of Jaffna peninsula have been cleared of landmines.

De-mining is being done in 1,96 sq kms while SLA has not allowed de-mining in 29,78 sq kms.

The outskirts of HSZ in Valikaamam North has already been marked as areas infected with landmines.

The lands around the SLA bases and camps in Jaffna peninsula are sown with large number of landmines but SLA continues to refuse permission to de-mine them.

[Full Coverage]

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow TNN on Facebook and Twitter )

Published
Categorised as News