Key developments since May 2004: Sri Lanka participated as an
observer in the First Review Conference and attended the June 2005
intersessional meetings, where it announced the submission of its first
voluntary Article 7 transparency report. In September 2004, Sri Lanka acceded
to CCW Amended Protocol II. In 2004, almost four square kilometers of land were
cleared, a large increase on 2003; 28,409 antipersonnel mines, 56 antivehicle
mines and 6,699 UXO were destroyed. A further 1.5 square kilometers were
cleared from January to March 2005. Three NGOs conducted community impact
surveys and/or technical surveys. The Regional Mine Action Office in
Killinochchi, covering the LTTE-controlled area in Vanni region, became fully
operational. International donations to mine action in 2004 totaled about
US$23.6 million, a large increase from 2003. Mine risk education expanded
significantly, reaching more than 280,000 people, and national standards were
finalized in July 2004. During 2004 there were two positive evaluations of mine
risk education in Sri Lanka. There were significantly fewer mine/UXO casualties
in 2004 than in 2003. In May 2005, the Sri Lanka School of Prosthetics and
Orthotics opened.
Mine Ban Policy
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has not acceded to the Mine
Ban Treaty. In February 2004, Sri Lanka stated that it “has always in
principle supported the humanitarian objectives” of the treaty and is
willing to work with others to achieve “a world free of
landmines.”[1] Since October
2002, the government has stated on several occasions that it would be in a
position to accede to the Mine Ban Treaty once an agreement is reached with the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on non-use of the
weapon.[2]
On 24 September 2004, Sri Lanka acceded to Amended Protocol II of the
Convention on Conventional Weapons.[3]
It attended the Sixth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II
in Geneva in November 2004.
Sri Lanka participated as an observer in the First Review Conference of the
Mine Ban Treaty in Nairobi in November-December 2004. The country’s high
commissioner to Kenya led the delegation. In his statement during the high
level segment of the meeting, he described Sri Lanka’s accession to
Amended Protocol II and its “unwavering commitment” to become
mine-free as “two significant positive moves towards its accession to the
Ottawa Convention, which is under consideration by the
authorities.”[4]
On 3 December 2004, Sri Lanka voted in favor of UN General Assembly
Resolution 59/84, calling for universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty. Sri
Lanka has voted for every annual UNGA resolution supporting a ban on
antipersonnel mines since 1996.
In June 2005, Sri Lanka attended the intersessional Standing Committee
meetings in Geneva, where it announced the submission of its first voluntary
Article 7 transparency report.[5] It
is described as an “initial report up to 13 June 2005” and utilizes
the standard forms. It is quite detailed in many areas and contains the
optional Form J for additional information, but does not report on stockpiled
antipersonnel mines. Sri Lanka was the fifth state not party to the treaty to
submit a voluntary report.
On 3 November 2004, Sri Lanka attended the inaugural meeting in New York of
the Forum of Mine-Affected Countries (FOMAC), a group of high-level
representatives from mine-affected
countries.[6] FOMAC was formed
to encourage cooperation between mine-affected countries.
LTTE Ban Policy
The LTTE has shown a willingness to engage in discussions about the banning
of antipersonnel mines since January 2002, when an LTTE leader first expressed
support for a ban. But, the LTTE has made clear that significant progress
toward peace is required before it can consider any commitment to the
antipersonnel mine ban.[7]
Switzerland, among other States Parties, has repeatedly encouraged LTTE to sign
the Swiss-based NGO Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment renouncing the
weapon.[8] Two LTTE representatives
participated in the Geneva Call conference, Former Female Combatants of
Non-State Actors, from 26-29 August 2004 in Geneva. In November 2004, two LTTE
members participated in a meeting of non-state actors organized by Geneva Call
in Geneva.
NGO Activities
A cross-conflict project, initiated at the beginning of 2003 by the Sri
Lanka-based Inter-Religious Peace Foundation
(IRPF)[9] in cooperation with the
UK-based NGO Landmine Action and Geneva Call to encourage LTTE to renounce
antipersonnel mines, continued in 2004 and the first half of 2005. The Tamil
Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), an umbrella organization that coordinates all
mine action and other relief and rehabilitation work in areas controlled by the
LTTE, continued to cooperate with IRPF to advocate the renunciation of mines by
both the government and LTTE.[10]
The Landmine Ban Advocacy Forum (LBAF), formed in December 2003 and
supported financially by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF, is a
network facilitated by the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies for the benefit
of all interested in advocating for a total ban on the use of antipersonnel
landmines in Sri Lanka.[11] The
forum met more than a dozen times in 2004 to exchange information on mines and
undertake joint advocacy initiatives. It issued several press releases
throughout the year.[12] On 14 July
2004, LBAF held a media event on the impact of landmines in Sri Lanka and the
need for a total ban on the
weapon.[13] LBAF distributed
posters, stickers and other advocacy materials printed in three languages across
the country. LBAF members briefed the Sri Lankan delegation to the First Review
Conference before it departed for Nairobi in November
2004.[14] In January 2005, the
Director General of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation
told the ICBL that “the effort of landmine ban advocates are important for
maintaining the dialogue and momentum on this issue” and promised the
government would “continue to work with civil society and all of its
partners in moving
forward.”[15]
Use
There have been no confirmed reports of use of antipersonnel mines by either
government forces or the LTTE since fighting halted in December 2001. However,
in August 2004 the LTTE claimed that two of its members were killed by a
landmine recently laid by an armed group supported by the Sri Lankan
military.[16] The military
vehemently denied this
accusation.[17] The LTTE again
accused security forces of involvement in a landmine explosion that occurred on
26 June 2005, and the government again denied any
complicity.[18]
Prior to the February 2002 cease-fire, both parties used antipersonnel mines
extensively during the nearly two decade-long conflict. Although the LTTE
suspended peace talks with the government in April 2003, the cease-fire has
continued to hold.
While there are no reports of recent use of landmines by the LTTE, according
to Human Rights Watch the LTTE has continued to train child soldiers on how to
use mines. Human Rights Watch interviewed a 17-year-old LTTE child soldier who
said she was recruited in 2003 and placed in the LTTE’s landmines unit and
trained in mine-laying: “After four months I was sent to a landmines unit.
I learned to handle landmines, to place them. I did this for four months. I
couldn’t concentrate. Sometimes a landmine would explode and
children would be injured. Their fingers, hands, face. One time we were
working in a line, and the last girl made a mistake when removing a landmine.
It exploded and she lost a finger. She was seventeen. I was scared to handle
them.”[19] Human Rights Watch
interviewed another LTTE child soldier recruited at age 14 who was responsible
for training other LTTE child recruits, including in mine-laying: “I was
in a combat unit. I had nine children and was responsible for their training.
Some were 12 or 13. We practiced placing [fake] landmines. If the
opposing forces came and the landmines didn’t go off, you were supposed to
sleep on the mines for punishment. In another drill, we were forced to find
hidden Claymore [remote activated] mines. If we didn’t find them, we were
forced to run for one to one and a half
hours.”[20]
Production, Transfer and Stockpiling
There is no evidence that the government of Sri Lanka has produced or
exported antipersonnel mines. It appears that it imported antipersonnel mines
from Pakistan, Portugal, China, Italy (and/or Singapore), and perhaps Belgium,
the United States and others.
In its voluntary Article 7 transparency report submitted in June 2005, Sri
Lanka failed to include information on the number or types of stockpiled
antipersonnel mines, but it noted that “with regard to future reports, the
position will be reviewed, taking into account all relevant
factors.”[21] The other
states not party to the treaty that have submitted voluntary reports have
included stockpile information (Cameroon, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland).
Previous Landmine Monitor reports have identified antipersonnel mines used
by government troops in the past, including the P4 (manufactured by Pakistan),
Type 72 (China) and VS/50
(Italy).[22] According to a January
2005 report from the Mines Advisory Group, those three antipersonnel mines are
commonly cleared by deminers in Vanni region, as well as Type 69 and Type 72A
(China), NR409/PRB (Belgium), M409 and M696 mine (Portugal), M18A1 Claymore mine
(US) and P3 Mk 1 (Pakistan).[23]
In its voluntary Article 7 report, Sri Lanka notes these antipersonnel mines
in minefields: Pakistani P4 MK1; Pakistani Type 69; Portuguese/Pakistani PRB
413; Portuguese PRB 409; Chinese Type 72; Italian/Singapore VS
50.[24]
The current status of the LTTE’s landmine production facilities
remains unknown. In the past the LTTE has produced three types of antipersonnel
mines: Jony 95 (a small wooden box mine); Rangan 99 or Jony 99 (a copy of the P4
Mk 1 Pakistani mine); SN 96 (a Claymore-type directional fragmentation mine).
In its Article 7 report, Sri Lanka provides technical details on the Jony-95 and
Jony-99, which it identifies as “produced and used” by the
LTTE.[25] The LTTE has manufactured
antivehicle mines, including the Amman 2000. The LTTE is also considered expert
in making improvised explosive
devices.[26]
Landmine and UXO Problem
After two decades of armed conflict, landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
constitute a serious impediment to reconstruction and resettlement in Sri Lanka.
Landmines are a threat to the refugees and internally displaced persons who
return to areas highly impacted by conflict. The conflict displaced around
880,000 people from the North and East. According to the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR), at the end of 2004 there remained 352,374 displaced
persons.[27] The Prime
Minister’s Office was reported in 2004 as claiming that hundreds of
displaced persons had returned to previously mine-affected land that had been
cleared.[28]
Some areas are designated High Security Zones (HSZ). The Sri Lankan
military occupies an estimated 15 percent of the Jaffna peninsula in the HSZ,
which excludes land usage by the general public. There are many reported
incidences of displaced persons being unable to return to their places of origin
in the HSZ, and instead having to settle on land uninhabited due to the presence
of mines. Due to HSZ, 65 villages, 20,365 families, 84,625 persons and 17,260
houses are affected in the Jaffna
peninsula.[29]
Government officials estimate that both sides planted a total of 1.5 million
mines. Earlier government estimates ranged from 700,000 to one million, while
the LTTE estimated that more than two million mines were
planted.[30] There have been
various estimates of the area known or suspected to be mine/UXO contaminated.
General survey data indicated 200 square kilometers may be
affected.[31] In April 2005, Sri
Lanka reported a total of over 150 square kilometers of known and suspected
mine/UXO-affected land.[32]
Mine Action Program
The National Steering Committee for Mine Action (NSCMA), established in
2002, is responsible for national oversight and coordination of policy,
including national policy on mine risk education and victim assistance. It
reviews and approves national priorities for mine action, as well as mine action
standards.[33] Chaired by the
Secretary to the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation, it has
representatives from relevant ministries, government agents, Tamil
Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), donors, mine action operators, UNDP and
UNICEF. NSCMA is based in Colombo and meets every six
weeks.[34]
In all mine-affected areas, prioritization, operational coordination and
tasking is provided by regional mine action offices. These offices, in Jaffna,
Killinochchi and Vavuniya, also service the districts of Mannar, Trincomalee,
Batticaloa and Ampara, where mine action focal points have been
appointed.[35] UNDP reported that
the first priority for mine action is resettlement, and the second priority is
reconstruction and development projects. Specific priorities are set by the
district steering committees for mine action, which include all stakeholders and
demining actors in each area. The committees meet monthly and are chaired by
government agents. To ensure mine action is integrated into broader development
programs, priorities are based on resettlement, reconstruction and community
requirements, which are then endorsed and incorporated into the district
workplans.[36]
Sri Lankan standards for mine action, in keeping with International Mine
Action Standards (IMAS), were agreed in March
2004.[37] All NGOs involved in mine
action must register with the Ministry of Social Services and sign a memorandum
of understanding with the Ministry of Defense. No mine action NGOs had been
accredited by NSCMA as of August 2005. UNDP manages the Sri Lanka Mined Area
Database, which uses the Information Management System for Mine Action
(IMSMA).[38]
Survey and Assessment
In its voluntary Article 7 report, Sri Lanka reported a total area of 12.6
square kilometers known to be contaminated by antipersonnel mines, comprising
308 areas in eight regions, and 141 square kilometers of suspected hazardous
areas comprising 2,341 areas in 10 regions. It is pointed out that these are
rough estimates, and technical survey may well reduce the actual mined
area.[39]
In 2004-2005, the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) and Mines Advisory
Group (MAG) conducted community impact surveys. FSD produced 270 impact survey
reports, 60 dangerous areas reports, six incident and casualty reports, and
conducted technical survey of 19,665 square meters of land. From January to
April 2005, FSD produced 84 impact survey reports, 22 dangerous areas reports,
two incident and casualty reports, and conducted technical survey of 3,297
square meters of land.[40]
MAG surveyed 1,137 villages in Batticaloa district from July 2003 to March
2005, 69 of which reported suspected or known mined areas. The suspected
contaminated area remaining to be cleared in Batticaloa district as of March
2005 was approximately one million square meters, which is likely to be reduced
when technical surveys are undertaken. MAG also undertook risk assessment and
technical survey of areas where 13 polling booths were to be located in April
2004.[41]
In October 2004, MAG completed an impact survey of the 1,047 villages in
Vanni region, of which 232 reported suspected or known mined areas and 379
villages reported UXO contamination. The main resources denied by mine/UXO
contamination are 42 percent agricultural land, 23 percent pasture land and 13
percent infrastructure. Seventy percent of communities depend on farming for
their income. Mine contamination affects 18,360 families in the LTTE-held areas
of Vanni region.[42] As of March
2005, clearance has either been completed or was ongoing in over half of all
known affected villages.[43]
Mine and UXO Clearance
As reported previously, Sri Lanka declared that it “has embarked on a
comprehensive humanitarian mine action program with a broad objective of making
Sri Lanka a mine-free country by the end of 2006.” UNDP and others
indicated that the end-2006 target date referred only to high priority
areas.[44]
A NSCMA official told Landmine Monitor in August 2005 that Sri Lanka is
committed to achieving the objective of clearing high priority areas by the end
of 2006, but is dependent on the continued commitment and support of mine action
agencies and the donor community. During post-tsunami rehabilitation efforts,
some land previously classified as low priority, especially on Jaffna peninsula,
has been reclassified as high priority due to the urgent housing needs of
tsunami survivors.[45]
UNDP records show that in 2004, 3,831,353 square meters of land were cleared
of 28,409 antipersonnel mines, 56 antivehicle mines and 6,699 UXO. This is a
large increase on the 2,155,364 square meters cleared in 2003. In the first
three months of 2005, 1,649,566 square meters were cleared of 5,403
antipersonnel mines, one antivehicle mine and 777
UXO.[46]
In June 2005, Sri Lanka’s Article 7 reported that 26,281,884 square
meters had been cleared or area-reduced (“cancelled”), including
2,989,563 square meters cleared of 56,368 antipersonnel mines, in 37 districts
in seven regions. The report is stated to be “up to 13 June 2005”;
the start-date for this data is not
specified.[47]
In 2004, mine/UXO clearance was carried out by the Sri Lanka Army, the TRO
Humanitarian Demining Unit, one national NGO (Milinda Moragoda Institute for
People’s Empowerment) in collaboration with the Indian NGOs Horizon and
Sarvatra, and six international NGOs: Danish Demining Group, HALO Trust,
Norwegian People’s Aid, Mines Advisory Group, Swiss Foundation for Mine
Action, and Japan Center for Conflict
Prevention.[48] Another NGO, Mine
Free Planet, trained mine detection dogs and dog handlers in preparation for
operations in 2005.
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) carried out most mine/UXO clearance in 2004. SLA
reported clearing 2,904,140 square meters of land, and removing 2,751
antipersonnel mines, two antivehicle mines and 58 UXO in
2004.[49] SLA has received training
and equipment from the US Department of State through the mine action company
RONCO.[50] SLA has four field
engineer regiments deployed for humanitarian demining, totaling 505 deminers and
35 paramedics, with 36 supervisory staff by April 2005. It intends to increase
its capacity to 600 deminers. In 2005, SLA formulated standard operating
procedures for the first time.[51]
Until 2004, SLA conducted only manual clearance, but in March 2004 received
seven mine detection dogs from the US Marshall Legacy Institute and other
donors; by June 2004 RONCO had trained the dogs and their handlers. Another six
dogs were undergoing training. The US provided a vegetation removal system in
mid-2004, and Japan donated a MV-4 Miniflail machine in May
2005.[52]
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) reported that it provides technical
assistance to the Humanitarian Demining Unit in building its capacity to clear
mines according to international standards in a cost effective and sustainable
manner.[53] It applies the rake
method, without the use of mine detectors. In October 2004, the project reached
its full capacity of 520 trained manual deminers, including 43 female deminers
and 80 support staff, giving a total of 600 staff with another two NPA
internationals as technical advisors. NPA started a project providing training
and support in introducing the rake system to SLA, and also provides the army
with training and support for the MV-4 Miniflail
machine.[54]
The Humanitarian Demining Unit (HDU) received support from NPA, MAG and FSD
during 2004. From August 2002 to April 2005, HDU/NPA reported clearing a total
of 2,406,151 square meters, destroying 22,982 antipersonnel mines, 41
antivehicle mines and 28,136 UXO. NPA estimates that 4,723 families directly
benefited from the mine clearance by resettling in or using the demined land.
In May 2005, a MV-4 Flail machine was added to the NPA mine action
program.[55]
MAG, also in partnership with HDU, conducted impact surveys, fencing and
marking, technical surveys, manual and mechanical clearance, and explosive
ordnance disposal (EOD). MAG has two Miniflails, uses rakes for clearance, and
Schonstedt, Minelabs and an Ebinger large loop detector for battle area
clearance. In Vanni region, MAG/HDU deployed two general survey teams, three
technical survey/demining teams, two EOD teams, one battle area clearance team,
one fencing team, one Bozena MF mechanical clearance team and two community
liaison/MRE teams. In Batticaloa district, MAG/TRO deployed six demining teams,
one Bozena MF mechanical clearance team, and two community liaison/MRE teams.
From January 2004 to March 2005, MAG reports that it erected 62,012 meters of
minefield perimeter fencing; manually cleared 91,528 square meters, removing
2,029 antipersonnel mines, six antivehicle mines and 7,210 UXO; mechanically
verified 335,185 square meters of suspected dangerous areas; undertook 437,735
square meters of battle area and 2,070,997 square meters of visual
searches.[56]
Swiss Foundation for Mine Action is involved in impact survey, technical
survey, manual clearance, battle area clearance and EOD. It has an operational
strength of 108 local and five expatriate personnel. FSD signed a contract with
the Japanese government in January 2004 to strengthen its mine clearance
operations, including provision of a MV -4 Miniflail
machine.[57] In 2004, FSD cleared
118,084 square meters of land and 4,978 square meters of battlefield area, and
removed over 3,812 antipersonnel mines, one antivehicle mine and 1,873 UXO.
From January to April 2005, FSD cleared 21,023 square meters of land and 5,558
square meters of battlefield area, and removed 490 antipersonnel mines and 44
UXO.[58]
Danish Demining Group (DDG) carried out technical surveys, manual demining,
battle area clearance and EOD. At the end of April 2005, with 370 local and six
expatriate staff, DDG was operational in Jaffna with four manual demining teams
and two survey sections; in Trincomalee with two manual demining teams, one
survey section and one quick response team for EOD tasks; in Vanni, with two
manual demining teams in partnership with HDU. From the start of operations in
November 2003 to April 2005, DDG has manually cleared 252,483 square meters,
released through technical surveys 47,789 square meters, and released through
area reduction and battle area clearance 708,750 square meters. In total, over
one million square meters of land in Sri Lanka have been released to the public
by DDG, in the process destroying 4,343 antipersonnel mines, one antivehicle
mine and 303 UXO. Depending on donor support, DDG planned by the end of 2005 to
have an additional four manual demining teams and one survey section operational
in Jaffna district, bringing the total number of staff to
550.[59]
HALO works in government-controlled areas and provides special assistance on
request in LTTE-controlled areas. HALO’s activities include manual mine
clearance, mechanical mine clearance, marking, area reduction, survey and EOD.
HALO employs 350 local staff and intended to increase this by three sections in
mid-2005. From October 2002 to April 2005, HALO reported clearing 402,395
square meters of land, and removing 36,984 landmines, 17 antivehicle mines and
13,395 UXO.[60]
Milinda Moragoda Institute for People’s Empowerment, in collaboration
with the Indian NGOs Horizon and Sarvatra, conducted mine clearance in
government-controlled areas. Each NGO deployed a team of 50 personnel.
Japan Center for Conflict Prevention (JCCP), a new mine action operator,
started manual mine clearance operations in March 2004 in the Vavuniya district.
A technical advisor seconded from DDG and two Japanese technical advisors have
trained a team of 44 Sri
Lankans.[61] By April 2005, JCCP
employed 77 local staff, including 54 deminers and four expatriates.
At the end of 2004, clearance of 22 minefields was ongoing and clearance of
a further six minefields had started but was suspended due to heavy floods. By
the end of 2004, there were 224 minefields identified in Jaffna district
covering an area of 12 square kilometers of
land.[62] A further 1.5 square
kilometers were cleared in January to March 2005, including 5,285 mines and 653
UXO.
In 2004, eight deminers were injured during clearance
operations.[63]
Mine Risk Education
Following a request to UNICEF made by NSCMA to facilitate the development of
national standards for mine risk education (MRE) based on IMAS, a workshop was
held on 1-2 July 2004 attended by all key MRE agencies and UN bodies. National
standards for MRE were finalized in July
2004.[64] Sri Lanka included MRE in
its voluntary Article 7 report of 13 June
2005.[65]
During 2004, over 280,000 people attended MRE sessions in northern and
eastern Sri Lanka, compared to 200,000 in
2003.[66] Some of these people have
been targeted multiple times, in particular children who receive MRE in both
school and community settings.[67]
MRE was conducted by four national NGOs, Sarvodaya, White Pigeon, Community
Trust Fund (CTF) and the Tamil Refugee Rehabilitation Organization (TRRO), and
by MAG working with White Pigeon and HDU. UNICEF continued to provide
assistance to local NGOs and the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of
Education developed MRE for the national curriculum for both primary and
secondary pupils. MAG/HDU/White Pigeon, CTF and Sarvodaya ensured that
community liaison activities were undertaken amongst all communities receiving
mine clearance. This network of national and international MRE NGOs was
instrumental in assessing the impact of the December 2004 tsunami on the
landmine-affected areas.[68]
UNICEF continued to support the national coordination of MRE in
collaboration with the district mine action authorities, and worked in
conjunction with the Ministry of Education, other UN agencies, and local and
international NGOs. It is a member of the National Steering Committee for Mine
Action. At the district level, UNICEF has four coordinators for MRE and
survivor assistance seconded to the district mine action offices of Jaffna,
Vavuniya and Killinochchi. In Trincomalee, the coordinator is based in the
UNICEF office. These coordinators facilitate the planning of MRE and survivor
assistance activities in accordance with district mine action programs, and also
monitor MRE in the field and complement the work of the district quality
assurance teams. UNICEF supports the technical working group on MRE, which
meets every two months; this provides an opportunity to develop best practice,
quality control and field-test MRE materials, and to share information on MRE
activities.[69]
The group most at risk from mines and UXO are adult males. Prior to 2004
all members of a community were targeted equally for MRE. Through the
Knowledge, Attitude, Practice (KAP) questionnaire, UNICEF started in 2004 to
promote a more targeted approach to develop messages and methodologies aimed at
reaching adult males. MAG states that it adapts MRE messages to target unsafe
behavior identified through KAP surveys and community
interviews.[70]
MRE strategies used in Sri Lanka in 2004 have included community-based
initiatives, mass media campaigns and school-based programs. In addition,
community liaison work is undertaken in all communities where mine clearance is
planned or ongoing. Evening activities have been introduced with TRRO providing
theatre and MRE-based performances. In 2005, MAG and local NGOs plan to
introduce evening film shows in an attempt to attract young males and other
at-risk groups.[71] MAG and UNICEF
are planning to work together to develop new television
material.[72]
Community-based programs target all villages affected by mines and UXO.
These usually involve several visits due to the ongoing return of internally
displaced persons to their areas of origin, and therefore the need for
additional MRE presentations as the population changes. Teams from UNICEF
partner agencies such as White Pigeon in Vanni, and White Pigeon and Sarvodaya
in Jaffna, undertake detailed visits to communities. MRE methodologies include
participatory discussions, house-to-house MRE, drama and songs, group
presentations, and school or health center-based
discussions.[73] In Jaffna, TRRO
also undertakes community and school-based drama activities, often performing
these in the evening to ensure the greatest audience and impact in more remote
communities.
During 2004, MAG supported two MRE teams in the LTTE-controlled Killinochchi
district, two teams in government-held Batticaloa, and one in Ampara district,
under the guidance of an MRE officer working nationally. In the LTTE-controlled
Vanni region, MRE is undertaken by White Pigeon and MAG, working closely with
HDU. MAG community liaison teams base activities around four message sets,
adapting these as required. Seven basic safety guidelines are highlighted and
adapted depending on the threat in the area and the needs of the target
audience. The audience may be asked to describe and draw any dangerous items
they have seen. This approach draws on the audience’s experience of the
local mine threat. Emergency measures are also discussed. Finally, a
discussion is held on the impact of a mine injury, encouraging people to
consider how this would impact on their current life, future, family and
community.[74]
In Jaffna, White Pigeon with six two-person teams, and Sarvodaya with 10
two-person teams, undertake a mixture of community liaison and MRE activities.
A gender mix is considered important and eight of the 20 Sarvodaya team are
women, while four are mine survivors. Teams consist of either two male or two
females in a team, using a motorbike to travel to mine-affected
communities.[75]
The predominantly Singhalese army undertakes a substantial part of the
clearance program in Jaffna peninsula. Antagonism between the army and
civilians has at times led to tensions, and the disruption of mine clearance
activities. Problems include items being thrown at deminers, the removal of
mine and clearance lane markers, animals grazing on land being cleared and
nearby agricultural activities such as crop spraying, which have all disrupted
demining on occasion.[76] SLA
reports that the community liaison role of the MRE teams has helped them to
function effectively. The MRE teams visit civil leaders and households
bordering the area to be cleared, explain the process, and negotiate how that
community can facilitate the clearance process and the advantages for the
community.[77] DDG and HALO in
Jaffna also report a similar effective relationship with the MRE and community
liaison teams.
Clearance organizations report facing greater disruption in highly populated
areas, or in predominantly poorer communities. DDG stated they would find it
useful if MRE teams could obtain community feedback on the demining process from
areas where clearance has been completed, so lessons learnt could improve future
clearance.[78]
All MRE and community liaison teams play a role in assisting communities
report dangerous or suspected dangerous objects and areas. In 2004,
approximately 700 dangerous areas plus several new mine/UXO casualties were
reported by MRE field officers to mine action organizations for
follow-up.[79] In Jaffna, from May
2004 to May 2005, Sarvodaya conducted 969 MRE and community liaison visits, 771
house-to-house visits, 117 community sessions, 12 schools visits, 13 volunteer
training sessions, 10 special programs, completed six KAP surveys, collected 91
suspected mine/UXO forms and met with 55,244 participants (27,506 females and
27,738 males).[80] In Killinochchi,
White Pigeon conducted most MRE activities in the LTTE-controlled area. In
2004, White Pigeon conducted 537 workshop presentations, 205 street dramas, 57
film shows and filled and forwarded 268 mine/UXO
reports.[81] MRE activity forms are
regularly sent to the district mine action office and entered into IMSMA.
MRE was incorporated into school curricula in 2003, under a national
school-based MRE program in collaboration with the Ministry of Education through
the National Institute of Education (NIE). All schools in districts directly
affected by the conflict and those bordering conflict areas provide MRE to each
grade in both primary and secondary schools. UNICEF has provided the NIE with
technical, financial and logistics support. Since 2003, up to December 2004,
approximately 8,120 teachers from primary and secondary schools in north and
east Sri Lanka had been provided with MRE training sessions. Teacher training
for the north-central and northwestern provinces, bordering the mine-affected
provinces, began at the end of 2004 and will continue in
2005.[82] Through this program,
28,845 teachers’ handbooks and student activity books (in the Singhalese
and Tamil languages), and 103,485 student activity sheets were distributed to
primary and secondary schools in the north and east; 16,000 teacher handbooks
and student activity books in both languages and 94,200 student activity sheets
were distributed to primary and secondary schools in selected districts in
north-central and northwestern provinces; 50 street drama videotapes in both
languages were produced and given to each education zone.
MRE in all areas of Sri Lanka is subject to quality assurance by the same
staff as for clearance sites, who have been trained in MRE by UNDP. MRE
activities are externally monitored by district MRE officers trained by UNICEF.
On average, this happens once or twice per week in Jaffna; the events are
selected randomly and include evening activities. Reports are passed on to the
district MRE officers for information and
action.[83] School-based activities
undertaken by the Ministry of Education are not monitored by these district
teams, but rather through government channels. A workshop was due to be held on
19-20 May 2005 in Trincomalee to develop a MRE school-based program monitoring
tool; however this was postponed due to civil unrest in the
town.[84]
Mass media coverage has included printed and electronic media. Between June
2004 and January 2005, 818 radio announcements were broadcasted via two Tamil
language radio stations and one Singhalese language channel. In 2004, a new set
of three MRE posters was developed and distributed to reinforce messages and MRE
activities undertaken in schools and communities. In total, 75,000 Tamil and
27,000 Sinhala posters were produced. Since 2002, all posters and visual
material have been adapted to ensure that they show only positive behavior
rather than images of the negative consequences of detonating a mine or UXO. It
is not known whether this approach has had an impact on the way these materials
are perceived or the success of the messages conveyed. Mass media activities
were supported and financed by
UNICEF.[85]
In late 2003, UNICEF established a MRE training capacity, including a
training-of-trainers program that targets NGO field officers and MRE management
coordinators. Most of the training was carried out by a local NGO, Program for
Alternative Training. Safety training was also given to staff of local and
international NGOs and local authorities by the district-based UNICEF MRE
coordinators.
Evaluations of MRE
Two evaluations of MRE took place during 2004: an internal UNICEF MRE impact
evaluation in Jaffna and Vanni region, and an external European Commission
Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) evaluation of UNICEF’s program of MRE and
survivor assistance in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Both evaluations were broadly
positive with regard to MRE conducted.
The ECHO report[86] found that
overall, funds had been well channeled and added value to what was a well
designed and managed program; in general, UNICEF had met or exceeded all of its
stated objectives. KAP questionnaires had been completed to provide baseline
and ongoing information; data gathering and analysis indicated significant
improvements in the knowledge, attitude and practice of communities. The
evaluation concluded that casualties had not been reduced as a result of MRE
alone, but MRE played an important role as part of the wider mine action
program, and as a program seeking to support mine action through MRE and
survivor support activities, it had been effective.
The ECHO report stated that MRE has added impact through its community
liaison activities, linking deminers to the communities in which they operate.
The majority of agencies saw the value of the work done by community liaison
teams and supported their input. While there was still a need to improve the
quality and process of community liaison, the impact was obvious. Minefield
marking was generally left alone, and demining agencies were often supported by
communities to solve water and other logistics problems; communities were much
more aware of the mine/UXO threat in their areas.
The evaluation also stated that the development of a school-based MRE
curriculum and incorporation of MRE as a functional element of the Sri Lanka
mine action program are good means of sustaining MRE capacity in Sri Lanka.
Community-based activities were approached in a sustainable manner through the
training of community volunteers, establishing children’s clubs and the
use of local implementing partners. It was felt that should Sri Lanka return to
war, local MRE facilitators will be the only ones who could work in the field of
mine action, and they would have an important role to play in ongoing MRE and
data gathering.
One important lesson learnt from the program is the need to spend an
appropriate amount of time in training MRE practitioners prior to them being
placed in the field. The report was critical that, in the early stages of the
program, its efficiency was hampered because MRE advisers were not sufficiently
trained before being sent to work. This was resolved in 2002.
The UNICEF report,[87] an MRE
impact evaluation in Jaffna and Vanni regions, was commissioned in late 2003 and
completed in early 2004. It found that nearly 99 percent of the target
communities were aware of the landmine and UXO threat, while areas that had not
received MRE showed a higher rate of mine/UXO incidents and a lesser number of
people aware of the risk of mines. The evaluation concluded that mine-safe
behavior resulting from MRE might have contributed to the decrease in the mine
incident rate registered since 1998, although this cannot be confirmed.
Funding and Assistance
There has been a major expansion of mine action funding for Sri Lanka since
the cease-fire took effect in February 2002. In 2004, 12 countries and the
European Commission (EC) reported US$23,627,296 in funding for mine action in
Sri Lanka. This represents an increase of about 40 percent from the $15.8
million reported in 2003.[88] The
Sri Lankan government provides all salaries, expenses and operational costs for
the Army demining contingents; the total cost in 2004 is not
known.[89]
Canada: C$63,639 ($48,889), including contributions to Landmine Action UK,
Geneva Call and the Sri Lankan Campaign to Ban
Landmines;[91]
Denmark: DKK24,000,000 ($4,007,280) to DDG for mine
action;[92]
EC: €5,400,000 ($6,716,520), consisting of €1,400,000
($1,741,320) to UNICEF for MRE and survivor assistance; €2 million
($2,487,600) to UNDP for mine action support, €600,000 ($746,280) for
survey, mine clearance and training in Jaffna, EOD and an ambulance service;
€400,000 ($497,520) for surveys, MRE, fencing and emergency clearance;
€600,000 ($746,280) for survey, MRE and clearance in Vanni;
€300,000 ($373,140) for MRE for internally displaced people;
€100,000 ($124,380) for a rehabilitation center including prostheses and
orthoses, physical rehabilitation and psychosocial
support;[93]
Finland: €130,000 ($161,694) to MAG for rehabilitation in
Vanni;[94]
France: €35,000 ($25,778) for a prosthetic
center;[95]
Japan: ¥449,900,000 ($4,159,963) for mine clearance, consisting of
¥91,700,000 ($847,896) to Japan Center for Conflict Prevention,
¥73,900,000 ($683,310) to FSD, ¥78,900,000 ($729,542) to DDG,
¥58,800,000 ($543,689) to HALO, ¥53,000,000 ($490,060) to MAG, and
¥93,600,000 ($865,465) to
NPA;[96]
Norway: NOK17,642,224 ($2,617,579), consisting of NOK4,562,943 ($677,005) to
NPA for mine clearance in the north and east, NOK4,464,281 ($662,366) to NPA for
mine action in government controlled areas, NOK8,310,000 ($1,232,956) to MMIP,
and NOK305,000 ($45,253) for a technical
advisor;[98]
Sweden: SEK6,000,000 ($816,549) to MAG for emergency mine
action;[99]
Switzerland: CHF826,875 ($612,500) consisting of €164,444 ($222,000)
to FSD for demining in Jaffna and Vavuviya, €35,555 ($48,000) to FSD for
assessment, €133,333 ($180,000) to HALO, and €120,370 ($162,500) to
FSD for a program
manager;[100]
UK: £113,230 ($207,551), consisting of £30,000 ($54,990) to HALO
for integrated demining and £83,230 ($152,561) to MAG for integrated
demining;[101]
US: $2,675,000, consisting of $1,775,000, for mine clearance, equipment,
training, and support, and $900,000 through the Leahy War Victims Fund to
Motivation for survivor
assistance.[102]
In addition, UNDP reported contributions by Canada (US$54,054) and UK
($150,000) in 2004, which have been included in the estimate of total
funding.[103]
During the period 2002-2005, EC contributed €12.4 million ($15.7
million) toward mine action in Sri Lanka, including €7.1 million from ECHO
since the cease-fire in February
2002.[104]
Some donors have withheld funding for demining in Sri Lanka until more
evidence of commitment toward joining the Mine Ban Treaty has been made. For
instance, the Netherlands was a core donor to HALO through 2003, but withheld
funds in 2004 pending action from the Sri Lankan government toward putting mines
out of reach in the
future.[105]
The total amount required for mine action in Sri Lanka in 2005, by all
operators including the Sri Lanka Army, was some US$20
million.[106]
Landmine/UXO Casualties
In 2004, UNDP recorded 56 new landmine/UXO casualties, including 17 people
killed and 39 injured; seven were female, and eight were children. The
majority of casualties occurred in Jaffna, with one person killed and 18 others
injured; in LTTE-controlled Mullativa and Killinochchi districts, four people
were killed and eight injured. Antipersonnel mines caused 13 casualties,
antivehicle mines caused three, and UXO caused 26. The cause of 14
casualties was unknown.[107] This
represents a significant reduction from the 99 mine/UXO casualties (24 killed
and 75 injured) recorded in
2003.[108]
In 2004, eight deminers were injured during mine clearance
operations.[109] Casualties
include an Indian national injured on 5 August during a mine clearance
operation.[110]
Casualties continue to be recorded in 2005. From January to July, seven
people were injured by antipersonnel mines and eight were injured in UXO
explosions.[111] Seven mine/UXO
incidents were reported from Vanni LTTE-controlled areas to
May.[112]
The UNDP IMSMA database is the most reliable source of information on
landmine and UXO casualties in Sri Lanka. The database contains records of
1,258 civilian mine/UXO casualties from 1995 to July 2005, of which 184 people
were killed and 1,074 injured. The database is updated and corrected as
information on mine incidents becomes available. UNDP believes that the
actual number of casualties is higher than currently
recorded.[113] In 2003, Sri Lanka
reported 3,005 military and police casualties attributable to
landmines.[114]
Survivor Assistance
The District Mine Action Office coordinates mine survivor assistance
activities in the Jaffna district. Sri Lanka, in the past, reportedly had
sufficient transportation and medical infrastructure to provide the necessary
medical care to civilian landmine casualties, although infrastructure was likely
less adequate in LTTE-controlled areas. The Jaffna Teaching Hospital and the
Point Pedro Hospital provided secondary surgical treatment while three other
hospitals had limited capacities for providing emergency
care.[115] However, the 26
December 2004 tsunami caused devastation to the health sector, particularly in
the northeast region, with several major hospitals damaged, a large number of
smaller health centers completely or partially destroyed, and the loss of a
large number of ambulances, medical equipment and supplies. The tsunami also
resulted in the death or injury of large numbers of trained healthcare
personnel. In the districts of Trincomalee, Mullativa, Jaffna, Killinochchi,
Batticaloa and Ampara, 30 health institutions were completely destroyed and 22
were partially damaged. Many facilities that had been rebuilt after the
cease-fire have been destroyed. The losses have caused a breakdown of the
health system and there is an urgent need to strengthen the healthcare
infrastructure.[116] The tsunami
has also impacted on mine survivors and other people with a disability, as
people injured in the tsunami will increase the demands on existing
rehabilitation services where resources are already
limited.[117]
Military mine survivors receive full rehabilitation, including prostheses,
counseling, vocational training and re-employment within the armed services, and
free bus and train passes. The Sri Lanka Army has its own residential
rehabilitation center, Ranaviru Sevana, near the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
Hospital in Ragama. The center serves more than 3,000 amputees; most are mine
survivors. Facilities include a prosthetic workshop with qualified technicians,
physiotherapists and all other medical
facilities.[118]
The Sri Lanka Army’s garment factory, Ranaviru Apparels, employs 800
people, including 650 disabled ex-military personnel; about 160 are mine
survivors. Training courses are also conducted in sewing and tailoring for
other disabled military personnel to establish tailor shops. About 7,000
disabled soldiers are attached to Sri Lanka Army Regimental Centers carrying out
light duties.[119]
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continues to work with
the Sri Lankan Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross, to provide basic health
services in remote areas through support to public health centers. In June 2004
the ICRC organized the fourth annual training seminar on war surgery at the
Jaffna Teaching Hospital for 40 participants from hospitals in the
northeast.[120]
In Vanni hospital, 20 health workers were trained to increase the quality of
assistance available to mine casualties immediately after the incident. In
2004, the Vanni orthopedic center produced 430 prostheses and repaired 469 other
prostheses. UNICEF is the main
donor.[121]
Sri Lanka has several prosthetic clinics to respond to the physical
rehabilitation needs of civilian mine/UXO survivors. However, Sri Lanka
reportedly has only five qualified prosthetic and orthotic technicians available
and cannot cater to existing demand. In May 2005, the Sri Lanka School of
Prosthetics and Orthotics opened, in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation of
Japan and Cambodia Trust; 15 new trainees are enrolled in the three-year
program.[122]
Motivation’s five-year Disability Support Program aims to improve the
quality of life of persons with disabilities, including mine survivors.
Motivation is implementing a wide range of initiatives in partnership with over
20 NGOs and organizations for people with disabilities, including physical
rehabilitation, production of prosthetics, orthotics and other assistive
devices, socioeconomic reintegration and advocacy. The program is funded by the
US government’s Leahy War Victims
Fund.[123]
The Jaffna Jaipur Center for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR), in
partnership with Motivation, provides physical rehabilitation, psychological
support and socioeconomic reintegration activities. In 2004, the center
assisted more than 323 people, including 23 mine survivors, produced 258
prostheses and 60 orthoses, and distributed 85 crutches and 23
wheelchairs.[124] In addition,
UNICEF supports the physiotherapy section of JJCDR and trained five
rehabilitation field assistants to ensure follow-up visits and basic
physiotherapy sessions; 77 people benefited, including mine/UXO
survivors.[125]
Motivation’s other partners include the Jaipur Center for Disability
in Kundasale, Southern Center for Disability (SCD) in Galle, Navajeevan center
in Tangalle, Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) in Ragama, and Sri Lanka
Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (SLFRD). In 2004, the SCD
produced 119 prostheses and distributed two
wheelchairs.[126] The Navajeevan
center produced more than 10 prostheses and an average of 25 orthoses and five
mobility aids per month, and distributed two wheelchairs in
2004.[127] The SIA, a social
welfare organization based at the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital,
provides wheelchairs; 45 percent of SIA’s employees are people with a
disability.[128] SLFRD designs
and develops mobility and assistive devices for people with disabilities, and
conducts various residential vocational training courses, including computer
training and industrial sewing. SLFRD has a garment manufacturing factory; all
employees and the management have a
disability.[129] Motivation and
its partner organizations have established two peer support groups for mine
survivors and other disabled people in Galle and Jaffna. The program will also
be implemented in Kandy and
Tangalle.[130]
The NGO White Pigeon provides prosthetic fitting, rehabilitation services,
vocational training, income generation opportunities and micro-credit services
for landmine survivors and their families in Killinochchi (prosthetic workshop),
Jaffna, Trincomalee and Batticaloa; over 991 families registered for survivor
assistance. In 2004, the Killinochchi prosthetic workshop produced 296
prostheses, distributed four crutches and 16 wheelchairs, and repaired 1,034
prostheses; beneficiaries are primarily mine survivors. Over 2,500 amputees are
reportedly waiting for prostheses, and over 1,700 are waiting for assistance in
income generation activities.[131]
White Pigeon MRE field officers in Killinochchi are trained in basic
physiotherapy and counseling to facilitate follow-up home
visits.[132]
In December 2004, Handicap International opened its new physical
rehabilitation center (PRC) in Batticaloa. The center produces prostheses and
orthoses, and provides other assistive devices including crutches, wheelchairs
and tricycles. Local staff receives training through two satellite centers in
Arayampathy and Kaluwancikudy. One physiotherapist also works in the Child
Guidance Clinic (CGC) at the Teaching Hospital in Batticaloa. From January to
April 2005, 282 people were assisted at the PRC, 167 people at the CGC and
satellite centers, and 142 orthopedic devices were delivered. An analysis of
the needs of persons with disabilities in Hambanthota, Ampara and Batticaloa has
been conducted in order to address immediate
needs.[133] In Batticaloa, more
than 5,000 people with disabilities were identified, including many amputees and
landmine survivors.[134] As of
August 2005, the findings of the needs assessment had not been released. UNICEF
supported the acquisition of some equipment for the new
center.[135]
In 2004, UNICEF supported the renovation of the rehabilitation center run by
the NGO Valvuthayam in Mannar; 97 people were assisted at the
center.[136]
The Friends-in-Need Society (FINS) in Colombo provides prostheses and
physiotherapy, including through a mobile unit that travels to remote areas.
FINS, together with Hope for Children, assists child landmine survivors with
physical rehabilitation, psychosocial support and facilitates their access to
school or vocational training
programs.[137]
UNICEF supports psychosocial rehabilitation and community-based
rehabilitation through local NGOs, including the Association for Rehabilitation
of Displaced (AROD), Killinochchi Association for Rehabilitation of Displaced
(KAROD), Shanthiham, White Pigeon and Family Rehabilitation Center (FRC). In
2004, UNICEF organized two coordination meetings for the four orthopedic and
rehabilitation centers in the north and east (Jaffna, Killinochchi, Mannar and
Batticaloa) to discuss standardization of technologies and improve follow-up
mechanisms.[138]
In Jaffna, AROD, with support from UNICEF, provides rehabilitation treatment
and physiotherapy including home care and assistive devices, and limited
psychosocial support, small grants and vocational training for people with
disabilities. AROD trained 20 physiotherapists for the orthopedic section of
the Jaffna Hospital.[139] AROD
also implements the Disability Assistance Project, in partnership with UNDP, in
the Jaffna district to restore sustainable livelihoods and promote the economic
reintegration of mine survivors and other persons with physical
disabilities.[140]
FRC, with UNICEF support, provided direct psychological support for 107
mine/UXO survivors from May 2004 to May 2005, and conducted 750 home visits and
355 counseling sessions. FRC initiated a referral system to address educational
and social issues of children and family members of landmine survivors. In
2004, a committee comprised of NGOs provided educational and social assistance
to 50 children of mine/UXO
survivors.[141]
Seven adults benefited from economic support through the Jaffna Social
Activity Center with loans of Rs. 6,000 (about $59) each, facilitated by the
Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies of
Jaffna.[142]
Sarvodaya’s income generation project for landmine survivors ended in
2004. Three NGOs, Sarvodaya, FRC and White Pigeon, are following up previous
beneficiaries of the project to recover their loans and provide additional loans
for new beneficiaries; 73 mine survivors have been considered for a
loan.[143]
On 16 December 2004, the World Bank announced that it would provide a $75
million loan for the reconstruction of around 46,000 houses as part of the North
East Housing Reconstruction Program; beneficiaries will include mine survivors
and the families of those
killed.[144]
One mine survivor participated in the Survivor Summit and the First Review
Conference in Nairobi, in November-December 2004.
Sri Lanka submitted Form J with its voluntary Article 7 Report with
information on disability policy and other
issues.[145]
Disability Policy and Practice
Sri Lanka has legislation protecting the rights of persons to
non-discrimination in employment and education. The National Disability Policy
was approved in August 2003.[146]
Mine/UXO survivors receive a one-time grant of $75-$250 depending on the
severity of their disability.[147]
However, the grant has reportedly not been paid since 2002, and not all known
survivors have benefited.[148]
Government authorities in Jaffna are investigating the
matter.[149]
The government-run Ranaviru Seva Authority (RVSA) provides for the care and
rehabilitation of members of the armed forces and police who have been disabled
in action, including mine survivors, and provides for the welfare of the
families of those killed or missing in action. One of its main activities is
assisting disabled ex-combatants to secure employment, through facilitating
vocational training, micro-finance and job
placement.[150]
In March 2005, the Consortium of Disability Organizations (CDO), and its 17
member organizations, launched the Access for All campaign to ensure the rights
of persons with disabilities, including the inclusion of disabled people in
mainstream development activities. The initial focus of the campaign is
promoting the inclusion of disabled people in all post-tsunami relief,
reconstruction and development
programs.[151]
The Minister of Social Services has obtained approval from the Cabinet of
Ministers to ensure that all post-tsunami reconstruction projects consider the
issue of accessibility for disabled persons in accordance with the National
Disability Standards.[152]
[1] Statement by Sri Lanka,
Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 9
February 2004.
[2] See Landmine Monitor Report
2004, p. 1116.
[3] The Cabinet of Ministers
approved accession in July 2004. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release, 13
July 2004.
[4] Statement by Sri Lanka, Nairobi
Summit on a Mine-Free World (First Review Conference), Nairobi, 3 December
2004.
[5] Statement by Sri Lanka,
Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 13
June 2005.
[6] UN, “Countries stand
united in the battle against landmines,” 4 November 2004,
www.un.int/angola/press_release_landmines.
[7] Email from Katherine Kramer,
Program Officer, Geneva Call, 9 March 2004.
[8] Comments by Martin Stuerzinger,
Advisor for Peace Building, Embassy of Switzerland, Landmine Ban Advocacy Forum
(LBAF) meeting, 30 May 2005. Notes taken by Landmine Monitor.
[9] IRPF is a member of the Sri
Lankan Campaign to Ban Landmines.
[10] Interview with P.
Sivasubramanium, Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), Colombo, 25 April
2005.
[11]LBAF members are
representatives from UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, EU, donor countries, campaigners, mine
action agencies (FSD, DDG, HALO Trust, MAG, NPA, MFT, MAT, SLA) and NGOs.
Representatives from the Sri Lanka Army and Ministry of Foreign Affairs attend
as observers.
[12] LBAF issued press statements
in 2004 on the Geneva Call conference on female non-state actor (NSA) combatants
(27 August); the government’s Amended Protocol II accession (15
September); the LTTE’s participation in the global meeting of NSAs held in
Geneva (5 November); the government’s participation in the Nairobi Review
Conference (29 November).
[13] The event received
widespread media coverage. See, for example, “Civil group urges GoSL LTTE
to sign anti landmine treaties,” TamilNet, 14 July 2004;
“Urgent attention Needed for Ban landmines,” Daily News, 15
July 2004; “Include Total Anti-Mine Clause in peace talk
agenda-Bradman,” Island, 15 July 2004; “LBA Forum Emphasis
Govt and LTTE to sign anti-personnel mine ban treaty,” Sunday
Observer, 18 July 2004.
[14] LBAF, “Annual
Activities Report,” November-December 2004.
[15] Letter to ICBL
representative from Harim Peiris, Director-General, Ministry of Relief,
Rehabilitation and Reconciliation, 20 January 2005.
[16] “Suspected Tamil
rebels attack Sri Lanka patrol,” Associated Press (Colombo), 23
August 2004. The LTTE blamed members of a group of former LTTE fighters who
broke away in March 2004; the LTTE accused security forces of supporting the
breakaway faction.
[17] Briefing by Government of
Sri Lanka military spokesperson, Colombo, 25 August 2004; telephone interview
with Brig. Daya Rathnayake, Military Spokesman, Colombo, 26 August 2005.
[18] “Sri Lanka govt
rejects rebels’ accusations on landmine explosion,” Xinhua News
Agency (Colombo), 11 July 2005; “Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger rebels
warn of war after latest slayings,” Agence France-Presse (Colombo),
11 July 2005. The incident apparently involved an antivehicle mine.
[19] Human Rights Watch interview
with “Vimala,” Batticaloa, August 2004, in Human Rights Watch,
“Living in Fear: Child Soldiers and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka,”
Vol. 16, No. 13 (c), November 2004, p. 27.
[20] Human Rights Watch interview
with “Nirmala,” Batticaloa, August 2004, in Human Rights Watch,
“Living in Fear: Child Soldiers and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka,”
Vol. 16, No. 13 (c), November 2004, p. 27.
[21] Article 7 Report, Form B, 13
June 2005 (voluntary initial transparency report up to 13 June 2005).
[22] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 1118.
[23] Mines Advisory Group,
“Impact Study on the Effect of Landmines & UXO in the Vanni Region of
Sri Lanka,” January 2005.
[24] Article 7 Report, Forms C
and H, 13 June 2005.
[25] Article 7 Report, Form H, 13
June 2005.
[26] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2001, p. 577; Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 747.
[27] Email from Nihad Hota,
Information Systems Officer, UNHCR, 27 May 2005.
[28] Dilanthi Jayamann,
“Sri Lanka will be mine free by year 2006,” Island, 27 March
2004, p. 2.
[29] “Jaffna District Mine
Action Work Plan 2005,” Government Agent, Jaffna, p. 5.
[30] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2002, p. 747; Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1119.
[31] Email from Matthew Todd,
Mine Area Database Manager, UNDP, 16 April 2004.
[32] Article 7 Report, Form C, 13
June 2005.
[33] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2003, p. 689; Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1120.
[34] “Country Profile: Sri
Lanka,” www.mineaction.org,
accessed 26 July 2005.
[35] The Regional Mine Action
Office in Killinochchi, under the responsibility of TRO, coordinates and
supports mine action in the LTTE-controlled areas of the North and East; this
office became operational in 2004.
[36] UNDP, Sri Lanka Mine Action
Program Fact Sheet, November 2004, pp. 1-2; “Country Profile: Sri
Lanka,” www.mineaction.org,
accessed 26 July 2005.
[37] “Country specific mine
action standards completed ahead of schedule,” Daily News, Colombo,
27 March 2004.
[38] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 1120.
[39] Article 7 Report, Form C, 13
June 2005. For survey results in previous years, see Landmine Monitor
2004, pp. 1119-1120.
[40] Email from Franz Baer,
Program Manager, Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD), 3 May 2005.
[41] Email from Abigail Hartley,
Country Program Manager, MAG, Sri Lanka, 12 May 2005.
[42] “Impact Study on the
effect of landmines & UXO in the Vanni Region of Sri Lanka,” MAG,
January 2005.
[43] Email from Abigail Hartley,
Country Program Manager, MAG, Sri Lanka, 12 May 2005.
[44] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 1119.
[45] Telephone interview with Dr.
A.S. Kunasingham, Secretary to the National Steering Committee for Mine Action
(NSCMA), Sri Lanka, 31 August 2005.
[46] Email from Rukshan Rathnama,
Public Information Officer, UNDP, 29 April 2005; see Landmine Monitor Report
2004, p. 1121. UNDP and clearance operators report differing data.
[47] Article 7 Report, Form F and
Annex 4, 13 June 2005.
[48] Article 7 Report, Form F, 13
June 2005.
[49] Interview with Fredrick
Palsson, Chief of Party, RONCO, 30 May 2005.
[50] Briefing Paper to Landmine
Monitor, Michael Pickering, Program Manager, Mine Free Planet, 27 April
2005.
[51] Interview with Brig. Ananda
Chandrasiri, Sri Lanka Army (SLA), Colombo, 27 May 2005; email from Capt.
Thushara Jayawardene, SLA, Colombo, 5 May 2005.
[52] Email from Capt. Thushara
Jayawardene, SLA, 5 May 2005.
[53] NPA/HDU High Priority
Clearance Plan 2005.
[54] Email from Harshi
Gunawardana, Project Coordinator, NPA, 3 June 2005.
[55] Email from Harshi
Gunawardana, Project Coordinator, NPA, 3 June 2005.
[56] Email from Abigail Hartley,
Country Program Manager, MAG, 12 May 2005.
[57] Email from Franz Baer,
Program Manager, FSD Sri Lanka, 5 May 2005.
[58] Email from Rukshan Rathnama,
Public Information Officer, UNDP, 29 April 2005.
[59] Emails from Steen Wetlesen,
Country Program Manager, DDG, 6 May and 26 September 2005.
[60] Email from Edward Rowe,
Program Manager, HALO, Sri Lanka, 9 June 2005.
[61] Email from Rukshan Rathnama,
Public Information Officer, UNDP, 29 April 2005.
[62] “Jaffna District Mine
Action Work Plan,” Government Agent/RMAO, Jaffna, p. 10.
[63] “Summary of mine and
UXO incidents 2004,” UNDP IMSMA, 3 March 2004.
[64] Emails from Hanoch Barlevi,
UNICEF, 22 April 2004, 12 July and 16 July 2004.
[65] Article 7 Report, Form I, 13
June 2005.
[66] UNICEF, “Mine Action
Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p. 6.
[67] Interview with Eric Debert,
MRE Officer, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 May 2005.
[68] UNICEF, “Mines/UXO
situation analysis,” Colombo, January 2005.
[69] UNICEF, “Mine Action
Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p. 7.
[70] Interview with Abigail
Hartley, Country Program Manager, MAG, Colombo, 12 May 2005.
[71] Interview with Abigail
Hartley, Country Program Manager, MAG, Colombo, 12 May 2005.
[72] Interview with Eric Debert,
MRE Officer, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 May 2005.
[73] Interview with Eric Debert,
MRE Officer, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 May 2005.
[74] “Impact Study on the
Effects of landmines and UXO in the Vanni Region of Sri Lanka,” MAG,
Colombo, December 2004, p. 42.
[75] Interview with Sarvodaya and
Jaffna MRE team members, Jaffna, 16 May 2005.
[76] Interview with Puththur
Kopay, SLA Site Commander, Task no. LK-245, 17 May 2005.
[77] Interview with Sarvodaya and
Jaffna MRE team members, Jaffna, 16 May 2005.
[78] Interview with Kari
Valjakka, Technical Advisor, DDG, Jaffna, 17 May 2005.
[79] Interview with Abigail
Hartley, Country Program Manager, MAG, Colombo, 12 May 2005.
[80] Interview with Sri Manaim,
Sarvodaya District Coordinator, Jaffna, 27 May 2005, and fax, 2 June 2005.
[81] Telephone interview and fax
from S.S. Pillai, Administrator, White Pigeon, Killinochchi, 28 May 2005.
[82] UNICEF, “Mine Action
Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p. 6.
[83] Interview with S.
Sivanesasingam, Project Assistant Mine Action, UNICEF, Jaffna, 16 May 2005.
[84] Interview with Eric Debert,
MRE Officer, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 May 2005.
[85] UNICEF, “Mine Action
Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p. 6.
[86] European Commission
Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), “Evaluation report-Sri Lanka,”
Brussels, 2005.
[87] UNICEF, “Mine Risk
Education (MRE) Project of UNICEF: A Formative Evaluation,” Colombo, April
2005.
[88]Landmine Monitor Report
2004, p. 1125.
[89] Article 7 Report, Form J, 13
June 2004.
[90] Email from Doug Melvin,
AusAID, 17 June 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: $1 = A$0.7365, used
throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates
(Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[91] Mine Action Investments
database; emails from Elvan Isikozlu, Mine Action Team, Foreign Affairs Canada,
June-August 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: US$1 = C$1.3017. US Federal
Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[92] Mine Action Investments
database; email from Hanne Elmelund Gam, the Department of Humanitarian &
NGO Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2005. Average exchange
rate for 2004: 1 US$1 = DKK5.989. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange
Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[93] EC, “Contribution to
the Landmine Monitor 2005,” email from Nicola Marcel, RELEX Unit 3a
Security Policy, EC, 19 July 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: €1 =
$1.2438, used throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of
Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[94] Mine Action Investments
database; email from Teemu Sepponen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 13 July
2005.
[95] Email from Amb. Gerard
Chesnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2005; emails from Anne Villeneuve,
HI, July-August 2005.
[96] Email from Kitagawa Yasu,
Japanese International Campaign to Ban Landmines (JCBL), 10 August 2005, with
translation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs information sent to JCBL on 11 May
2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: ¥108.15 = US$1. US Federal Reserve,
“List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[97] Letter from Charlotte
Darlow, Disarmament Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 20 April
2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: $1 = NZ$0.6643. US Federal Reserve,
“List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[98] Article 7 Report, Form J, 28
April 2005; emails from May-Elin Stener, Section for Humanitarian Affairs,
Department for Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, April-May 2005.
Average exchange rate for 2004: $1 = NOK6.7399. US Federal Reserve, “List
of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[99] Letter from Alf Eliasson,
SIDA, 23 March 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: $1 = SEK7.4380. US Federal
Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[100] Mine Action Investments
database; email from Janine Voigt, Diplomatic Collaborator, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, 1 July 2005. Rate of exchange for 2004 according to fixed rate
specified by donor: $1 = CH1.35, used throughout this report.
[101] Email from Andrew
Willson, Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department, Department for
International Development, 1 July 2005; email to Landmine Monitor from Debbie
Clements, Directorate of Joint Commitments, Ministry of Defence, 10 August 2005.
Average exchange rate for 2004: £1 = $1.83. US Federal Reserve, “List
of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[102] USG Historical Chart
containing data for FY 2004, email from Angela L. Jeffries, Financial Management
Specialist, US Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, 20
July 2005.
[103] UNDP, “Funding
Update by Donors,” www.undp.org,
accessed 22 August 2005.
[104] Email from Mariam
Homayoun, Development Advisor, EC Delegation, Sri Lanka, 9 May 2005.
[105] “Jaffna Mine Action
Work Plan 2005,” Government Agent/DMAO, Jaffna, February 2005, p. 26.
[106] UNMAS, “Portfolio
of Mine Action Projects 2005,” p. 299.
[107] Interview with Dhanushka
Jayamaha, IMSMA Officer, UNDP, Colombo, 24 August 2005.
[108] Interview with Eric
Debert, MRE Officer, UNICEF, 12 April 2005; for more details, see Landmine
Monitor Report 2004, p. 1126.
[109] “Summary of mine
and UXO incidents 2004,” NDP, 3 March 2005.
[110] “These boots were
made for surviving landmines,” Straits Times, 7 October 2004.
[111] Interview with Dhanushka
Jayamaha, IMSMA Officer, UNDP, Colombo, 24 August 2005.
[112] Telephone interview and
fax from S.S. Pillai, Administrator of White Pigeon, Killinochchi, 28 May 2005.
[113] Interview with Dhanushka
Jayamaha, IMSMA Officer, UNDP, Colombo, 24 August 2005; see also Landmine
Monitor Report 2004, p. 1127.
[114] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 1127.
[115] “Jaffna District
Mine Action Work Plan,” Government Agent/RMAO, Jaffna, May 2005, p. 24;
see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1127.
[116] “Sri Lanka 2005
Post-Tsunami Recovery Program: Preliminary Damage and Needs Assessment,”
Joint Asian Development Bank, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and
World Bank Draft Report, 10-28 January 2005, www.worldbank.lk, accessed 11 August
2005.
[117] Department of Injuries
and Violence Prevention, “Disasters, disability and rehabilitation,”
World Health Organization, 2005.
[118] Interview with Capt.
Ariyarathna, Officer in Charge, Prosthetic and Orthotic Section, Ranaviru
Sevana, Ragama, 12 July 2005; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p.
1130.
[119] Interview with Maj. Ajith
Jayatissa, factory manager, Ranaviru Apparel, Yakkala, 12 July 2005.
[120] ICRC, “Annual
Report 2004,” Geneva, June 2005, p. 168.
[121] UNICEF, “Mine
Action Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p.
9.
[122] Interview with Lan
Chisholm, Technical Advisor, Sri Lanka School of Prosthetics and Orthotics,
Colombo, 31 May 2005; “Sri Lankans uniting to launch Prosthetics/Orthotics
training school,” Cambodia Trust press release, 24 November 2004.
[123] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, pp. 1128-1129; see also Standing Tall Australia and Mines
Action Canada, “101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of
Mine Survivors,” June 2005, p. 73.
[124] Telephone interview with
T. Yoganathan, Chairperson, JJCDR, 21 April 2005; email from T. Yoganathan,
Chairperson, JJCDR, 11 May 2005; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004,
pp. 1127-1129.
[125] UNICEF, “Mine
Action Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p.
10.
[126] Fax from M.G.
Samaraekara, Chief Executive Officer, SCD, Galle, 27 May 2005.
[127] Email from Kumarini
Wicramasuriya, Manager, Navajeevana, Tangalle, 1 June 2005.
[128] Presentation by Proiyanth
Peiris, President, SIA, at Wheelchair Workshop, Colombo, 31 May 2005.
[129] Presentation by Cyril
Siriwardena, Secretary, SLFRD, at Wheelchair Workshop, Colombo, 31 May 2005.
[130] Landmine Monitor attended
the inaugural peer support group meetings at SCD in Galle on 20 May 2005, and at
JJCDR in Jaffna on 6 July 2005.
[131] Telephone interview with
S.S. Pillai, Administrator, White Pigeon, Killinochchi, 27 May 2005, and fax, 28
May 2005; Standing Tall Australia and Mines Action Canada, “101 Great
Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors,” June 2005,
p. 74; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1128.
[132] UNICEF, “Mine
Action Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p.
9.
[133] Email from Thomas Houdy,
Program Coordinator, HI, Batticaloa, 31 May 2005.
[134] Telephone interview with
Mahesh Dayalan, CBR Program Manager, HI, Batticaloa, 29 August 2005.
[135] UNICEF, “Mine
Action Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p.
10.
[136] UNICEF, “Mine
Action Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p.
10.
[137] For more information see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1128.
[138] UNICEF, “Mine
Action Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p.
10; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1129.
[139] Interview with Mr.
Markandan, Administrative Officer, AROD, Jaffna, 7 July 2005.
[140] See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 1129.
[141] UNICEF, “Mine
Action Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p.
10.
[142] Telephone interview with
Mr. Chithamparanathan, Manager, Social Activity Center, 30 May 2005.
[143] UNICEF, “Mine
Action Program in Sri Lanka Annual Report 2004,” Colombo, April 2005, p.
10; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 1129.
[144] “World Bank
Supports Sri Lanka’s Peace Through Housing Reconstruction,
Development,” Hindustan Times, 16 December 2004.
[145] Article 7 Report, Form J,
13 June 2005.
[146] Article 7 Report, Form J,
13 June 2005; for more information, see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp.
1129-1130.
[147] Sri Lanka UN Mine Action
Support, “Information Bulletin,” 2nd edition, December
2003, p. 8.
[148] Interview with landmine
survivors at inaugural meeting of peer support group at JJCDR, Jaffna, 6 July
2005.
[149] Interview with Mr.
Ganesh, Government Agent, Jaffna, 8 July 2005.
[150] The 1999 Ranaviru Seva
Act No. 54.
[151] Media Release,
“Access for All,” Colombo, 1 March 2005, www.accessforall.lk.
[152] The Cabinet of Ministers
approved the cabinet memorandum presented by the Minister of Social Services on
12 June 2005.
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