8th of November 2010, Norwegian Ambassador, Hilde Haraldstad signed two agreements with Swiss Foundation for Mine Action and HALO Trust extending their support to Humanitarian Demining activities in the North.

The Government of Norway will provide Rs. 125 million to Swiss Foundation for Mine Action and Rs. 112 million to HALO Trust to expand their participation in the Sri Lankan Government’s Humanitarian Mine Action Programme.

The Sri Lankan Government has assigned tasks for humanitarian demining to these two organisations in the high priority areas in the Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.

The objective of the humanitarian demining programme is to clear and certify mine free lands in the North and release land for re-settlement and livelihood to support the Government of Sri Lanka’s plans to complete the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons in their original places.

There will be an increased participation of female deminers on these programs.

Since 2003, Norwegian Government has continuously provided financial support for the Humanitarian Demining activities through two Indian NGOs; Sarvatra and Horizon and to Milinda Moragoda Institute for People’s Empowerment.

The commitments made today will be in addition to the Annual support that Norway has continuously extended towards humanitarian demining activities.