FSD’s overarching aim is to alleviate and diminish the social, economic and environmental impacts of landmines and unexploded ordnance, thus creating favourable conditions for the reconstruction and development of war-torn countries. FSD undertakes community liaison as part of the hazard assessments in our areas of responsibility to tap any available community knowledge for the assessment of contamination, to promote awareness of the mine/ERW (Explosive Remnants of War) threat and to strengthen the channel for reporting of any hazards.

An Awarding Ceremony organized by FSD for inter-schools Mine risk awareness competitions took place on 23 July 2010, in Mu-Vidyananda College, Mulliyawalai in Mullaitivu commenced from 2:00 pm – 4.45 pm. The theme of the competition was “Awareness to avoid accidental landmines and Unexploded Ordnance explosions” covering the entries of essay writing, songs, speech, short story writing, rearranging sentences and dramas within 13 schools in Maritimepattu DS division in Mullaitivu district. Medals, trophies and certificates handed over to 475 children who succeeded at mine-risk awareness competitions obtained 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Approximately, 1,200 participants attended this major event.

The Chief Guest of the awarding ceremony was Brigadier Niyshshanka Ranawana, 59 Division Commander Sri Lanka Army where as Ms. Vilvarajah, Director of planning Secretariat, Mrs. Thavabalan, Assistant Government Agent and Mr. M Thevendran, Zonal Director of Education in Mullaitivu attended as special guests.

The Programme Manager for FSD Mr. Nigel Robinson stated to the media that the government of Sri Lanka has assigned 27 GN divisions in Maritimepattu DS Division in Mullaitivu for FSD to clear landmines and ERW. FSD has already completed clearance in Mullaitivu town and the rest of the GN divisions is targeted to be completed by the end of December 2010. Further, Nigel Robinson emphasized that the FSD demining teams work hand-in-hand with the Sri Lanka Army to determine the areas of contamination and conducted non-technical survey.

Since the beginning of year 2010, FSD set up Community Liaison teams with the support of AusAID to conduct educational activities based on the theme of “Stay safe – bright future” aimed at reducing the risk of injury from mines and unexploded ordnance by raising awareness and promoting behavioural change through public-information campaigns, education and training, and liaison with communities at the FSD Areas of Responsibility in north Sri Lanka.