MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia will contribute a further $1 million to land mine action in Sri
Lanka, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus,
announced today.
'After 20 years of conflict and the displacement of more than 800,000 people
in Sri Lanka, large numbers are now wanting to return home and rebuild their
lives,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Australian assistance has cleared more than 80,000 square metres of land and
removed more than 3,000 anti-personnel mines, unexploded ordnance, several
anti-tank mines and 5,300 rounds of ammunition.
'Australian-funded mine action is part of an international humanitarian
effort to help resettlement and rid Sri Lanka of mines over the next three
years,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Since the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan
Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam nearly two years ago,
Australia has supported the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Mine
Action Program.
'Australian support is also helping Sri Lanka develop the ability to manage
its own mine clearance program,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Australia was one of the first countries to support mine action in Sri Lanka
and this contribution of $1 million is in addition to earlier Australian funding
of $1.35 million for the UNDP Program.
'This year, Australian overseas aid to Sri Lanka of $16.2 million will focus
on humanitarian, peace-building and rehabilitation activities across the
country,' Mrs Gallus said.
Contacts
Shane Fairlie (Office of Mrs Gallus) 02 6277 4840 or 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489