Sri Lanka was embroiled in a brutal civil war from 1983 to 2009. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, aka “The Tamil Tigers”) rose up against the primarily Sinhalese government, leading to tens of thousands of civilian deaths. Landmines were used extensively by both sides, and it’s estimated that 1.6 million mines were placed throughout the region during the war. These have caused over 20,000 deaths and injuries over the years, and forced thousands of local residents to flee their homes. Now, thanks to the tireless work by HALO volunteers, 300,000 landmines have been cleared.
Landmines Prevented Civilians from Returning Home
During the Sri Lankan civil war, landmines were placed throughout the northern region. The primary areas affected were the Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Vavuniya, and Mannar districts. These minefields prevented hundreds of thousands of displaced residents from returning to their homes and farms once the conflict ended. Quite simply, any attempts to return resulted in further casualties and severe injuries from exploded mines.
Enter The HALO Trust.
After witnessing firsthand the horrors caused by landmines in Afghanistan, Colin Mitchell, Guy Willoughby, and Susan Mitchell OBE decided to take action. They founded the HALO Trust in Kabul in 1988, and dedicated their lives to preventing further deaths and injuries from these devices. Their efforts have allowed tens of thousands of refugees and displaced civilians worldwide to return to their homes. Additionally, clearing landmines both during and after conflicts allows much-needed aid to be delivered safely to war-torn regions.
HALO began clearing landmines and other undetonated explosives in Sri Lanka in 2002. Regions they have cleared include areas around Jaffna city in the Northern Province, and the thousand-year-old Nallur Kandaswamy Temple nearby. The Chavakatchcheri Lagoon and its surrounding areas have also been cleared. This opens the region to new tourism opportunities, which is certain to boost the local economy.
HALO staff and volunteers destroy approximately 1,000 mines monthly: some by hand, and some with the help of mechanized equipment. Their efforts have changed the lives of thousands of people who have suffered horribly due to regional conflicts. Furthermore, they’ve brought immeasurable peace back to a land devastated by war.
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A Safe Return at Last
Thanks to the dedicated HALO volunteers, a total of 46 square miles of land (an area 33 percent larger than the Island of Manhattan) has been cleared in Sri Lanka. Now that the area is free from landmines, 280,000 residents are finally able to return to their homes. Some haven’t seen their houses or farms for decades because it was too unsafe to return.
“We never thought we’d get our land back. Even our children doubted we would see this day. But now we are truly thankful. Having our own land allows us to look to the future with hope. My children will have a stable home to grow up in.”
– Kiddan Mangalaeswaran, returnee, Muhamalai
HALO currently employs over 9,000 men and women, with 95 percent of their staff coming from war-torn communities worldwide. They have landmine clearing programs in over 30 countries, and are often first on the ground for emergency clearance. HALO’s efforts have allowed vital aid to be brought to hundreds of thousands of individuals around the globe, thanks to the dedication of their staff and volunteers.
Thanks to their unwavering dedication, bravery, and hard work, thousands of people can now go home safely. There is still a great deal of work to be done, however, with the goal of making Sri Lanka fully mine-free by 2028.
To learn more about HALO’s initiatives, or to get involved with the project, visit their website here.
Story source: The HALO Trust
Featured image © The HALO Trust, 2025