At the signing ceremony of Grant Contracts regarding the Humanitarian Demining Activities in Mannar and Vavuniya Districts

Ms. Valentina Stivanello, Country Director, Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Staff members of MAG, members of media, Ladies and Gentlemen
 
Good morning.
It was a pleasure to have signed the Grant Contract for the humanitarian demining project implemented by MAG in Northern Sri Lanka. This agreement succeeds two other grant contracts signed last month for demining activities assisted through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, also known as ‘GGP’.
 
The Government of Sri Lanka aims to achieve a “Mine-Impact Free Sri Lanka” by the year 2020. To this end, the Government of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with demining organizations, have successfully cleared much of the confirmed hazardous area, reducing the area from 1,000 to 25 square kilometers.
 
The Government of Japan has extended its fullest support for mine clearance activities in Sri Lanka since 2003 and is the only country that supports all the four demining organizations currently operating in Sri Lanka. Japan’s assistance towards this aim has exceeded USD 36 million in total.
 
The precarious nature of demining under challenging conditions warrants dedication towards the task. I have visited a demining site in Kilinochchi last month and spent time in the field while deminers were on their duty. It was indeed hard only to walk in the field with heavy protective equipment and was easily imagined how grueling to work under the sun while serious concentration is also required. I sincerely appreciate the devotion and perseverance of the staff at MAG towards this valuable exercise.
 
Their staunch determination showcased to clear lands which would be utilized for important livelihood activities such as agriculture, livestock, and firewood collection is much admired. Cleared lands also swifts the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and enables access to economic and social infrastructure such as schools, markets, places of religious worship etc. In this sense, assisting demining activities are in line with one of the pillars of Japan’s official development assistance in Sri Lanka, that is, improving the quality of life in the conflict-affected regions, including the Northern and Eastern Provinces of the country.
 
I envision that this project will further contribute to the safety and the well-being of the Sri Lankan people and the Government’s goal of achieving a “Mine-Impact Free Sri Lanka” by 2020.  
 
Thank you very much.