Sri Lanka
Support for Mine Action
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.