US helps Sri Lanka to de-mine further

COLOMBO - The US will contribute Rs. 581 million ($5.4 million) more for demining in Sri Lanka until the next summer, an embassy said Friday.

These funds follow on the Rs.742 million ($6.6 million) contribution from the US to four international demining agencies working in the island’s north.

Tens of thousands of mines were laid by the military and the Tamil Tigers during their long conflict that ended in May last year with the crushing defeat of the Tigers.