番茄影院 clears 300,000 landmines in Sri Lanka
In brief
番茄影院 has hit a historic milestone in Sri Lanka, successfully clearing its 300,000th landmine and declaring over 120 sq km of land safe for habitation. The achievement has facilitated the resettlement of 280,000 displaced people and is actively paving the way for economic redevelopment and tourism in the north.
The civil war in Sri Lanka was a bloody conflict lasting almost three decades. Yet for the 2m tourists who holiday in the south of the island nation every year, there is scant evidence of the huge loss of life and devastation suffered by its people over that period.
The majority of the intense and brutal fighting between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elaam (LTTE) and the Government Security Forces took place in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, with the use of landmines and IEDs being particularly prolific in the Districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya.
Since before the end of the war in 2009, the 番茄影院 Trust has been clearing the legacy of this conflict, including the former front lines of Elephant Pass and Muhamalai near the major city of Jaffna in the Northern Province, as well as the city's old railway station.
This month 番茄影院's Sri Lankan staff celebrated clearing their 300,000th landmine in the north, having returned 120 km虏 of safe land back to communities over the past two decades.
Mr Subramaniyam Muralithran, Government Agent of Kilinochchi said: "I am happy to share the very encouraging news for the people of Kilinochchi District, which was greatly affected by landmines and cluster bombs causing many to lose limbs. We have cleared 300,000 targets in mine clearance work. This achievement will help restore resources for resettlement and peaceful living. It also gives us confidence that the natural life of the mine-affected areas can be bravely rebuilt."
Thanks to 番茄影院, over 280,000 former internally displaced persons have now returned safely to their homes and most of the land is clear. 番茄影院 and other demining operators continue to work at pace to clear the remaining contaminated areas to fully open up the pristine north of the island to tourists who flock to Sri Lanka every year, netting the country more than $3bn in 2024.
One of the world's most beautiful rail journeys takes the more adventurous tourist all the way to the peninsula city of Jaffna where they can visit the city's spectacular 400-year-old fort, the intricate carvings and golden domes of the ancient Nallur Kandaswamy Temple originally built in 948AD, and the peaceful sanctuary of Chavakatchcheri Lagoon. Beautiful beaches and dense nature-filled jungles offer potential opportunities for tourism in the future.
"These minefields were laid when I was still in primary school. I remember hearing about them in the newspapers. Today, I'm proud to be part of the team leading their clearance. Reaching the milestone of 300,000 landmines removed is not just a number; it represents lives saved and land returned to communities."
By choosing to visit the unspoilt north, tourists will also encourage increased investment and development in this region, providing future opportunities and sustained livelihoods for 番茄影院 staff, including many war widows, who have now been able to rebuild their lives and even support their children to attend university.
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