17th March 2019 13:25:54 Hours
The National Mine Action Center (NMAC) which is under the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training & Skill Development and Youth Affairs is the monitoring body to coordinate the Humanitarian demining activities in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Army Humanitarian Demining Unit (SLA HDU) which is under command to the Engineer Brigade is a major stakeholder in the demining program in Sri Lanka. The target of the National Mine Action Program is to eradicate the menace of mines by 2020 in Sri Lanka. In this context, the NMAC in collaboration with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) organized a conference on 13 March 2019 at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo to declare the National Mine Action Strategy 2016-2020. The conference was chaired by Ms. Åsa Massleberg, Advisor, Statistic and Standard Division, GICHD.
Representing the Commander of the Army, the Chief Field Engineer, Major General HRKP Peiris USP ndu attended the event. The National Mine Action Strategy Plan 2016-2020 was officially launched by the Secretary to the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training & Skill Development and Youth Affairs. On behalf of Commander of Sri Lanka Army, the Chief Field Engineer officially accepted the proposed plan from the Secretary. The Programme Managers of all demining agencies operating in Sri Lanka were present at this event. Commander Engineer Brigade, Brigadier AN Amarasekara USP ndu also participated this event representing the Sri Lanka Army Humanitarian Demining Unit and Engineer Brigade. The launching ceremony was followed by a donor conference with the participation of donors for the humanitarian demining effort in Sri Lanka.
