Signing of Land Mines Ban Declaration by Srilanka

Land Mines Ban  Declaration called ( Ottawa Agreement) was signed by 160 countries and organizations. The Srilanka cabinet has given approval  to sign the declaration in March 2016.  However, Defence Ministry  has not given approval to sign it.  When questioned by the journalist from the defence   Secretary , whether  delay in  signing of   declaration   has   any  connection with the reconciliation , he said, no connection at all.  He further said, before signing this declaration Srilanka  has to make  alternate security arrangement to  protect Army camps .

 National Publicity Coordinator of landmines  ban  project in Srilanka,   Vidya Abeygunawardana said, that Srilanka needs time  space to sign it.  She said, that  it will take at least 15 years to remove land mines completely from the North and East .  Although 7 years have passed  since the end of war,  removal of mines takes place  in a slow manner. Srilanka is the  only country where, Army maintains land planted with mines.