http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=most_of_north_free_of_landmines_20120321_02

Most of North free of landmines
Around 1,312 square kilometres of the Northern Province has been
cleared of landmines by the Army with the help of seven groups. There are only
103 square kilometres left to be cleared in the Northern Province, Economic
Development Ministry Additional Secretary Nihal Somaweera said.
"Eighty percent of the project was undertaken by the Army.
Around 2,000 trained Army personnel are engaged in removing landmines," he said.
Around 6,000 hectares of forests cover were cleaned for agricultural purposes.
These one time agricultural fields were covered by forests due to 30 years of
terrorist activities, he said.
The 300 kilometre sand barricade built during the conflict
period has also been removed, he said.
"Many shramadana campaigns were conducted utilising local man
power to provide infrastructure facilities for the Northern districts. The
Economic Development Ministry pays Rs 500 daily for each person involved," he
said. People in Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya districts have begun their own
livelihoods by now. Therefore, public participation in shramadana campaigns have
reduced by 50 percent in these districts, he said.
Courtesy : Daily news