India Wednesday extended its demining operations in Sri Lanka for another year, as part of its rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the war-ravaged northern region.
The High Commission of India here conveyed to the Government of Sri Lanka a decision by the Government of India to continue its assistance in the field of demining requirements in northern Sri Lanka.
"India had agreed to extend the terms of seven Indian demining agencies from the Horizon and Sarvatra organisations, who have been working in Sri Lanka for several years," High Commissioner Ashok K Kantha informed Secretary of the Ministry
of Economic Development, PB Jayasundera.
The extension of the contracts of these seven
organisations, which is valued at SLR 410 million (USD 3.65 million), is for another year.
It is expected that, in addition to contributing to the critical task of resettlement of Internally Displaced People (IDPs), these teams will also be deployed for the demining work required for the reconstruction of the northern
railway network.
Kantha also reiterated the continued commitment of India to Sri Lanka in the task of reconstruction and rehabilitation in northern region.