Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-03-02

Accession to the Ottawa Convention/Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention by Sri Lanka

- Due to the conflict situation that prevailed in Sri Lanka, the Northern and Eastern provinces of the country have been adversely affected by the landmines and explosive remnants of war. Mine clearance operations are vital for the safe resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDP), and the threats caused by the landmines and the explosive remnants of war need to be prevented for the better living conditions of the people residing in those areas and infrastructure development activities. Therefore, the joint proposal made by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Hon. D.M. Swaminathan, the Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, to accede to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention which is also known as Ottawa Convention, by the Government of Sri Lanka, which arranges the required background for the purpose, was approved by the Cabinet.