300,000 landmines cleared in Sri Lanka

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 HALO 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 HALO's Sri Lankan staff celebrated clearing their 300,000th landmine in the north, having returned 120 km² 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 HALO, over 280,000 former internally displaced persons have now returned safely to their homes and most of the land is clear. HALO 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.

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 HALO staff, including many war widows, who have now been able to rebuild their lives and even support their children to attend university.

Take a tour of the incredible city of Jaffna – Sri Lanka's hidden gem – with Vithoozen, HALO Sri Lanka's Operations Manager: