SL says on a firm path to become landmines free by 2020

Sri Lanka is on a firm path towards becoming landmine free by 2020 with the active support of stakeholders, the country told the Convention, at the Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) Meeting of the High Contracting Parties on Wednesday.

Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lanka’s Permanent Mission in Geneva Shashika Somaratne expressed these views while delivering Sri Lanka’s statement at the Meeting of High Contracting Parties held at Palais des Nations in Geneva.

While observing that Sri Lanka has made “considerable headway in determining the extent of contaminated area” as well as the mine risk education programme involving the affected community, resulting in a drastic reduction of mine related casualties, Ms. Somaratne indicated that Sri Lanka will be in a position to share its experience in relation to mine action endeavours with interested parties.

Speaking on Mines other Than Anti–

Sri Lanka welcomed the objectives of the current discussion on reducing the indiscriminate and injurious impact of these weapons

Personnel Mines (MOTAPM), Sri Lanka welcomed the objectives of the current discussion on reducing the indiscriminate and injurious impact of these weapons. Sri Lanka emphasized the need for further discussions on exchanging best practices on managing MOTAPM enabling developing countries to actively contribute towards this process.

The Meeting of the High Contracting Parties, which meets annually was concluded on Friday under the Presidency of Latvia.