U.S. announces plan to provide additional $7 million for demining assistance to Sri Lanka

A delegation from the U.S. Department of State has visited Sri Lanka from April 3-8, 2022, to review U.S.-funded demining projects in Kilinochchi, Jaffna, Vavuniya, and Muhamalai. The United States contributed $8.3 million to demining efforts in Sri Lanka in Read More …

Sri Lanka: Japan supports humanitarian demining activities in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts

The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of US$ 604,412 (approx. Rs. 120 million) to Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP) for humanitarian demining activities in Northern Sri Lanka. The grant contract was signed on 25th March Read More …

Explosive weapons: Civilians in populated areas must be protected

As the world urbanizes, so too do conflicts. It is estimated that some 50 million people now suffer the horrific consequences of urban warfare – a trend that is likely to continue as more and more people concentrate in towns Read More …

Operation Flycatcher: disrupting Sri Lanka’s terrorist networks

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Boosting the ability of frontline border officers to detect travelers as potential terrorists was the focus of a counter- terrorism (CT) and border management operation led by INTERPOL across Sri Lanka. Codenamed Operation Flycatcher II, the Read More …

Australia grants additional AUD1 million for landmine clearance in Sri Lanka

The Australian High Commission has granted an additional AUD1 million or LKR135 million for landmine clearance in Sri Lanka. The funds have been provided as continued support for landmine clearance charity, the Mine Advisory Group (MAG), until December 2022. Australia Read More …

Jaw bombs, the deadliest threat to Sri Lanka’s elephants, are scaling up

Elephant calves arriving at dusk to drink at the Weheragala reservoir tank in Wasgamuwa National Park can be particularly playful. But one day in September 2020, a lonely young elephant was spotted exhibiting uneasy behavior. After all the other members Read More …

Nearly 12 000 landmines destroyed by Sri Lanka under the Mine Ban Convention

“Sri Lanka is pleased to confirm that the Humanitarian Demining Unit of the Sri Lanka Army has destroyed nearly 12,000 stockpiled anti-personnel mines almost a year earlier than the deadline set to us by the treaty that bans the production, Read More …

Sri Lanka Army to declare country free from mines and explosives by 2022

The Sri Lanka Army Humanitarian Demining Unit (SLAHDU) of the Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) are working towards the complete demining of the country by the end of 2022. The SLADHU, the only the government entity to carry out demining operations Read More …

Sri Lanka: US backs mine clearing operations

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Martin Kelly visited a Mines Advisory Group (MAG) demining site, earlier this week to observe the measures undertaken to clear explosive hazards in the area and speak with a team of female deminers. Read More …

Keeping all Sri Lankans safe

Our beautiful country has steadily recovered from the long conflict of three decades. The nation is on its determined journey towards restoration and reconciliation. The sound of gunfire and exploding shells have ceased since 2009. But many people have not Read More …

Sri Lanka to deploy trained canines in strengthening airport security

Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority on Friday said that 20 trained canines will be deployed at the country’s main Bandaranaike International Airport to help detect drugs and explosives, local media reported. The dogs have been trained to easily identify explosives Read More …

Sri Lanka: Japan to support humanitarian demining activities in North

The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of US$ 636,262 (approx. Rs. 115 million) to the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) for humanitarian demining activities in Northern Sri Lanka. The grant contract was signed on the 23rd December 2020 Read More …

Sri Lanka: Japan extends Rs. 115 m in support of humanitarian demining activities in north

The Government of Japan has provided a total sum of $ 636,363 (approx. Rs. 115 million) to the HALO Trust for humanitarian demining activities in northern Sri Lanka. The grant contract was signed on 29 October between Japanese Ambassador Sugi-yama Read More …

Australia allocates AUS$ 800,000 for landmine clearance in Sri Lanka

The new commitment will go to MAG International, an organisation working to destroy landmines and help people rebuild their lives after conflict. According to MAG, Australia’s funds will transform an additional 190,000 square meters of contaminated ground into a sustainable, Read More …

Sri Lanka: Former LTTE intelligence Agent, Thangarasa Thevanesan, succumbed to burn injuries

The former LTTE Intelligence Agent, Thangarasa Thevanesan, aged 43, who was admitted to the Hospital in Anuradhapura, with 40% body burns, succumbed to his injuries yesterday, early morning. On the 3rd evening, a powerful bomb, locally made, exploded at the Read More …

Amid Covid-19, Rising Tide of Narcotics Trafficking from Pakistan Feeds Jihadist Upsurge in Indian Ocean

Islamic State cells in the Maldives, known to have close links with Indian Ocean drug cartels, have over the past eight weeks staged multiple attacks, including bomb strikes on police boats. Fears are mounting that a surge in narcotics shipments Read More …

Japan grants Rs. 219 million for humanitarian demining in North Sri Lanka

The Japanese Government has provided a total sum of US$ 1,266,825 (approx. Rs. 219 million) for the SKAVITA Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP) and the HALO Trust for humanitarian demining in Northern Sri Lanka, a communique issued by the Read More …

Germany supports demining projects in Sri Lanka

On 17 September, German Ambassador Jörn Rohde visited the demining sites of the HALO Trust and Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH), who is the local implementing partner of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Kilinochchi. The aforementioned two non-governmental organisations Read More …