The SLCBL urges the government to ensure mine free lands without posing a risk to the lives of the resettled.

Although 08 groups were engaged in demining activities in the North and East regions following the end of the war, the figure had dropped down to 04 at the present, SLCBL) coordinator - Vidya Abhayagunawardena says.

Therefore, the pace of the demining process has slackened, he added.

In order to speed up the process, the Sri Lankan government must to accede to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, which would support the goals of the Campaign to Ban Landmines in Sri Lanka. By acceding to the AP Mine Ban Convention, Sri Lanka would also receive more assistance from the international community, he adds.