Norway funding Milinda Moragoda institute to clear mines

(March 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Norwegian government today signed an agreement with the Milinda Moragoda Institute to provide Rs. 140 million in support of humanitarian demining activities, a press release from the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo said.

Mr. Nanda Godage, Head of the Demining Unit in Milinda Moragoda Institute and Mr. Tore Hattrem, Ambassador of Norway, signed the agreement.

For the year 2009, the Government of Norway will provide Rs. 140 million to Milinda Moragoda Institute for People’s Empowerment, Sarvatra and Horizon to participate in the Sri Lankan Government’s Humanitarian Mine Action Programme, the embassy said.

Since 2003, Norwegian Government has provided funding for Milinda Moragoda Institute for People’s Empowerment and two Indian NGOs; Sarvatra and Horizon for humanitarian demining activities. The total support has been approxi. Rs. 600 million, the press release added.

The Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development has assigned tasks for Humanitarian demining to these three Organisations in Mannar, Batticaloa and the border villages in Anuradhapura District in 2009, the release added.

-Sri Lanka Guardian