Saturday, 12 October 2013 00:00
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Ambassador Dr. Juergen Morhard presided at a ceremony in Colombo to hand over German-funded mine clearing equipment from the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) to Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH), a Sri Lankan non-profit demining agency.
“Landmines are an ongoing reminder of Sri Lanka’s conflict four years after the end of the war,” said Ambassador Morhard.
“They prevent resettlement and constrain economic and social opportunities. Demining is a critical first step in enabling displaced persons to return to their homes. Germany, over the years, has provided strong support for Sri Lanka’s mine clearing operations. I’m happy to continue our assistance through DASH and the deployment of this equipment,” he added.
Brigardier (Rtd.) Ananda Chandrasiri said, on behalf of DASH, that his organisation greatly appreciates the German Government’s contribution to its demining operations.
“Even with the extensive work carried out to rid the conflict zones of landmines and other explosive ordnance, there is more work to be done to make these areas completely safe. Demining is a slow and arduous process, and can often only be done manually, requiring many teams of de-miners with good quality training and carefully coordinated work. Therefore, continued donor support is an imperative and we thank the German Government for its valuable assistance.”
Germany’s support for mine action in Sri Lanka was carried out through FSD which has been in the country since 2002 with operations in the North and the East. Germany has provided nearly EUR 900,000 worth of assistance to FSD for mine clearing activities in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya.
