As part of the ongoing rehabilitation under the
Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP), an antipersonnel landmine
was discovered at the Vavetti Kulam tank site in Mullaitivu District. Immediate
safety protocols were enacted, and the site was promptly secured to prevent
harm. The incident was reported without delay on 11 April 2025 to the Project
Management Unit (PMU)’s Safeguard Team, the Project Director, and the World
Bank’s Safeguard and Task Teams. In response, the World Bank Safeguard Team
provided specific guidance to mitigate risks and ensure full compliance with
safeguard standards. The following measures were implemented:
- Pre-screening and Scanning: All high-risk sites,
particularly those near forested or formerly conflict-affected areas, must
undergo thorough pre-screening to detect potential hazards and prevent future
delays.
- Mine Clearance Certification: No rehabilitation
activities may resume without an official clearance certificate from accredited
mine action authorities. The Vavetti Kulam site has since received formal
certification from The HALO Trust.
- Safety Screening and Stakeholder Engagement: Hazard
assessments and structured safety briefings are now mandatory to safeguard
workers and surrounding communities.
- Awareness Programs: Comprehensive sessions on landmine
awareness and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) protocols will be conducted
for contractors and Social Audit Committee members at all CSIAP sites.
Before recommencing rehabilitation activities, The
HALO Trust completed a final clearance and completion survey at Vavetti Kulam.
The resulting mine clearance report was submitted to the PMU and the World Bank
for official record. As a final precaution, awareness and safety training will
be held for all site workers and Social Audit Committee members, underscoring
CSIAP’s commitment to ensuring safety and community involvement. This incident highlights the critical importance of
conflict-sensitive planning and robust risk management in post-conflict
development initiatives. The full documentation—including certificates,
correspondence, and photographs—is available in the official project records.
Please
click Identified Antipersonnel Landmines at the Vavetti Kulam Tank Site in Mullaitivu District to read it, and click the Clearance Certificate to
read it.
By Ms.
Sharmila Shanmuganathan, Safeguard Division, PMU, CSIAP
Posted by CSIAP Sri Lanka Read full article Published Date : 2025-05-09
