On 19 August 2026, the National Mine Action Centre (NMAC), under the coordination of the Deputy Director of Mine Action, conducted a joint field visit with representatives of all mine action operators, the Sri Lanka Police, Regional Forest Department, Department of Wildlife Conservation, and Special Task Force (STF). Officers from the Regional Mine Action Office also participated in the field assessment.

The field visit provided an opportunity to review operational practices and site-specific issues, particularly concerning termite mounds, Isolated UXO ,EOD call-outs, environmental protection and coordination around mine action sites.

The findings from the morning field visit were reviewed during an Operations Meeting held the same evening, where key operational decisions and follow-up actions were agreed.

Key outcomes

• Termite mounds in forest areas: For termite mounds located within reserved forest areas, no clearance activity will be conducted on the termite mound itself. Only the ground/base area beneath the termite mound should be cleared to the required depth, and only the area actually cleared at the base will be counted as cleared square metres.

• Termite mounds in other areas: Termite mounds encountered outside forest areas will be managed in accordance with the Sri Lanka National Mine Action Standards (SLNMAS) and applicable operational procedures, while maintaining the required clearance depth.

• Forest conservation: Regional Forest Department officials provided guidance on forest conservation requirements. Operators were instructed not to deposit collected vegetation and other clearance debris within the forest, but to move such material to appropriate open areas to reduce the risk of bush fires and protect the forest environment.

• EOD call-outs: The STF agreed to strengthen follow-up on outstanding EOD call-outs. NMAC also agreed to strengthen the digital collection and management of EOD call-out information using existing information management facilities.

• Police coordination: Sri Lanka Police representatives agreed to follow up on relevant illegal activities around mine action sites and to coordinate with the STF to support appropriate EOD call-out responses.

• Article 5 extension planning: During the Operations Meeting, the Article 5 extension work plan was reviewed, including the action plans of the demining organizations. Continued follow-up on the agreed actions and operational requirements was confirmed to support the preparation of Sri Lanka’s Article 5 extension request.

The field visit and subsequent Operations Meeting highlighted the importance of evidence-based operational decision-making and close coordination between NMAC, mine action operators, security Forces  of Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Army,  Special task Force and environmental authorities.

NMAC will continue to coordinate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that mine action operations are conducted safely, in accordance with national standards, while protecting Sri Lanka’s forest environment and supporting the country’s Article 5 extension planning.