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A stretch remains to be cleared of landmines in North – govt.
Chief Government Whip and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga on Saturday said that there was a stretch of 23 km to be cleared of landmines in the North.
Addressing a ceremony held at Kilinochchi to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the Minister said that as of now an area of 1,340.87 km have been cleared of landmines in the North and the East by the deminers. They had recovered and defused 1,492,081 landmines from that area. The demining activities are carried out by the Army and four non-governmental organisations. These non-governmental organisations provide USD 17.5 million per year to the government for demining activities, the Minister said.