2011 mine action day in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

The HALO Trust joined forces with the Regional Mine Action Office and other demining agencies in Jaffna to organise a two-day exhibition to raise awareness about landmines on 20th-21st April. The event was sponsored by the European Commission, which has been funding HALO’s work in Sri Lanka since 2002.

Events included a two-day exhibition about demining at Jaffna Hindu College, television and newspaper campaigns, a parade through Jaffna Town, stage performances, and a cricket tournament with teams from HALO, the Danish Demining Group, 1 Field Engineer Regiment/Humanitarian Demining Unit of the Sri Lankan Army, the Regional Mine Action Office and mine risk education agencies taking part. After some keenly contested opening matches, the final was played between 1 Field Engineers and The HALO Trust. An engaging match saw the result being decided on the last ball, with the HALO Trust winning by three runs.

The HALO Trust currently employs over 900 local staff in Sri Lanka and is working to clear minefields from Jaffna’s former High Security Zones to facilitate the return of thousands of families displaced up to 20 years ago. HALO also has teams working in Kilinochchi to remove mines laid by the LTTE in the later stages of the 30-year conflict.

Since 2002 HALO has cleared 80,416 mines from 273 minefields in Northern Sri Lanka.