Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian Ocean, just off the south coast of India.

HALO began clearing explosives here in 2002. We expanded our operation to include safety training in 2015.

303,836

Mines destroyed

60,164

People trained in staying safe

Situation in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Civil War ended in 2009 after nearly three decades of fighting. It claiming the lives of around 80,000 people and left more than a million landmines.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians were forced to flee their homes, because of fighting or landmines. Over 20,000 people have since been killed or injured by landmines and other explosives, according to Landmine Monitor.

Families still cannot return home because their land is not safe. Much progress has been made, but there is still a lot of clearance work to be done.

The Sri Lankan Government has set a target of being mine-free by 2028.

The Ginanasekaram family stand outside their gome — The Ginanasekaram family returning home

A flooded minefield in Sri Lanka with the sun setting in the background

We left our land in Muhamalai two times. The first time was in 1995, and the second time was in 2009.

After our first displacement, we rebuilt our house again in 2006. However, unfortunately, again, we had to leave in 2009. Our home and land were again destroyed as the conflict peaked.

Muniyandi Madaththi, age 73
Muhamalai, Sri Lanka

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HALO's work and impact in Sri Lanka

HALO's efforts are focused on clearing landmines and other explosives in the Jaffna peninsula, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.

We have safely destroyed over a million explosive items, including 300,000 anti-personnel mines.

Our land clearance work has allowed over 280,000 displaced people to return home.

HALO destroys around 1,000 mines every month, both by hand and through the use of mechanized equipment.

Two children smiling in a school in Sri Lanka — Rishika, age five, at her school on land cleared by HALO

HALO's Sri Lankan staff

Women from Sri Lankas demining team pose in a line outside — HALO Sri Lanka team of female deminers

HALO is the largest mine clearance organization in Sri Lanka, employing 1,200 local people. Many of our staff were displaced by the conflict.

Around 40% of HALO Sri Lanka's staff are women. There are many woman-headed households here, due to the many casualties of the civil war.

HALO is the second-largest employer in the northern province and has been working there since 2002.

HALO is supporting staff to successfully transition to new careers once Sri Lanka is mine-free. All staff have the opportunity to learn new skills and gain qualifications.

A man and child get water from a water tank outside

We never thought we'd get our land back.

Even our children doubted we would see this day. But now we are truly thankful. Having our own land allows us to look to the future with hope. My children will have a stable home to grow up in.

Kiddan Mangalaeswaran
Returnee, Muhamalai