COLOMBO, Aug. 10 -- Hollywood actress and International Ambassador for Landmine Clearance Rosamund Pike described Sri Lanka's demining program as a "great success" on Monday (19), welcoming the country's goal of becoming completely free of landmines within four years.

Pike met Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr Susil Ranasinghe at the ministry in Battaramulla, where she inquired into the progress of clearance operations and commended work being carried out in line with international standards.

The ministry said about 90% of Sri Lanka's mine-affected areas have been cleared, with 20.8 square kilometres of complex, difficult terrain remaining. Full clearance is expected within the next four years, it added.

Five hundre...