Sri Lanka

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 16 November 2020

In 2019, international contributions from nine states and the European Union (EU) supporting clearance and risk education activities in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka totaled US$15 million; which represents an increase of more than $7 million (105%) compared to 2018.[1]

Five donors contributed more than US$2 million each: the EU, Japan, the United States (US), Germany, and Norway. Sri Lanka did not receive international support for victim assistance in 2019. Instead, all funds were allocated to capacity-building, clearance, and risk education.

Sri Lanka has never reported its financial contribution to its mine action program. However, in a speech on the 2012 budget, then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa indicated that it was substantial, stating that since 2009 the army has been engaged in demining, rebuilding, and urban development at a cost of LKR5.4 billion (approximately $42 million).[2]

International contributions: 2019[3]

Donor

Sector

Amount (national currency)

Amount

(US$)

EU

Clearance

€2,500,000

2,798,500

Japan

Clearance

¥276,068,402

2,532,273

US

Clearance and risk education

$2,500,000

2,500,000

Germany

Clearance

€2,000,000

2,238,800

Norway

Clearance and risk education

NOK20,000,000

2,272,701

United Kingdom

Clearance

£1,480,893

1,890,804

Australia

Clearance

A$450,000

312,840

Sweden

Clearance

SEK2,169,953

229,372

Switzerland

Clearance

CHF160,000

161,014

Canada

Clearance and risk education

C$94,901

71,521

Total

 

N/A

15,007,825

Note: N/A=not applicable.

Since 2015, international contributions to mine action in Sri Lanka have totaled over $41 million, and averaged some $8.2 million per year.

International assistance to mine action has considerably varied in recent years, ranging from a low of $4.6 million in 2016 to a high of $15 million in 2019.

Summary of contributions: 2015–2019[4]

Year

Amount

(US$)

2019

15,007,825

2018

7,280,458

2017

8,516,563

2016

4,583,251

2015

5,614,583

Total

41,002,680



[1] Australia Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 3 January 2020; Canada Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 11 June 2020; email from Frank Meeussen, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control, European External Action Service, 30 August 2020; Germany Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 16 March 2020; Japan Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 March 2020; email from Ingrid Schøyen, Senior Advisor, Humanitarian Affairs, Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2020; email from Kajsa Aulin, Assistant Health Affairs and Disarmament, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations in Geneva, 24 September 2020; Switzerland Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 28 April 2020; United Kingdom Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2020; and US Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA), “To Walk the Earth in Safety 2019,” 2 April 2020.

[2] Ministry of Economic Development, “2012 Budget 100 Proposals for Development His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented the 2012 budget proposals to the parliament,” undated. Average exchange rate for 2012: LKR127.231=US$1, Oanda.com, Historical Exchange Rates.

[3] Average exchange rates for 2019: A$1=US$0.6952; €1=US$1.1194; NOK8.8001=US$1; C$1.3269=US$1; ¥109.02=US$1; SEK9.4604=US$1; CHF0.9937=US$1; £1=US$1.2768. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2020.

[4] See previous Monitor reports.