Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), Twenty-First Meeting of State Parties, 20-24 November 2023, Statement by Sri Lanka – Agenda Item 10 a – Assisting the Victims

Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC),

Twenty-First Meeting of State Parties, 20-24 November 2023

 Statement by Sri Lanka – Agenda item 10 a – Assisting the Victims

 Delivered by Mr. Rajitha Ambalampitiya, Head of Operations and Senior Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) officer of the National Mine Action Center (NMAC) of Sri Lanka on 21 November 2023

Thank you Mr. President,

First of all, allow me to express the Government of Sri Lanka’s sincere gratitude to the ISU of the Convention and GICHD for your continuous support to Sri Lanka’s mine action programme and guidance provided for victim assistance.

Government of Sri Lanka identified and implemented several victim Assistance programmes as per the findings of the need assessment survey of mine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) victims. In 2022, National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) provided immediate assistance linked with the Ministry of Social Services and related Departments and in collaboration with District Secretaries, while needs assessment is being continued. Providing special disabled sanitary facilities through Resettlement Department of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, a mental relaxation center has been established in the Northern Province and is managed by District Medical Officer. NMAC expects to initiate an Insurance Scheme to give immediate support for victim assistance through the government with the support of deminIng agencies. The casualties have been minimized through an effective Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) program and Mine Risk Education has been included in the school curriculum in local languages for children in the affected districts.

Furthermore, with the support of all implementing parties NMAC took initiative to publish EORE related documents and banners around public places during public events to educate and minimize casualties.

NMAC has estimated USD 100,000 per year for the next three years to provide durable or permanent solutions where needed. Furthermore, NMAC allocated Rs 4 million to perform EORE activities in affected areas. NMAC is looking forward to increasing EORE with assistance of the Government. NMAC has estimated an additional USD 100,000 to do more EORE to minimize new victims of mines and ERW.

Sri Lanka appreciates the assistance to NMAC and welcomes potential support of all partners to continue the effective and efficient support for victim assistance in Sri Lanka.

Thank you.