International Mine Action Day celebrated in Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 April 2006, 02:19 GMT]
Non-governmental organizations and government and UN agencies marked April4 International Mine Action Day with activities in several towns in Sri Lankathe, including the government organized event in Colombo. Regional events included a bicycle race for disabled persons in Trincomalee, sports and cultural events in Vavuniya, drama presentations in Amparai, a mine exhibition in Jaffna, the screening of mine action films in Killinochchi and essay and poem writing activities in Batticaloa, UN agency sources said.

In Kalmunai about two thousand students of all three communities participated in a mine risk education awareness procession which went through Kalmunai main road from Neelavani to Panamai carrying placards. The event, which was organized by UNICEF with the assistance of Sarvodhya Movement, concluded with a public meeting in Nallathamby Hall in Kalmunai Wesley High School, sources in Kalmunai said.

In Trincomalee, a cycle race for disabled youths affected by landmine mishaps was held on Tuesday morning. Later Ms Gabriella Elroy, UNICEF head in Trincomalee at the Trincomalee district secretariat briefed the press about the International Mine Action Day in the company of Mr.A.Nadarajah, Trincomalee District Additional Government Agent. Two minute-silence was observed in schools, government and NGO offices the name of people who have died or been directly affected by landmine and UXO incidents.

In villages volunteers and child animators conducted community based programmes and Mine Risk Education activities.

Trincomalee events concluded Tuesday evening with cultural shows held in Trincomalee beach. Ms Gabriella Elroy, UNICEF Trincomalee district head and Mr.A.Nadarajah, Additional Government Agent handed over certificates and gifts to the winners of the cycle race and other events.