Background Extensive injuries to limbs from road accidents, industrial and agricultural accidents are quite common. They can pose serious issues on a victim’s life and the lives of family members withlong periods of hospitalization, economic, psychological, and emotional issues leading to depression and long-term rehabilitation before going back to society to lead an active life. The problems are exacerbated when the amputee is young, with a higher life expectancy and a higher functional demand. Extensive limb-threatening and life-threatening injuries caused…

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Learning More about Mine Injuries, Mine Action During Peace, Global Minefields and Mine Ban Treaty A landmine is a perfect soldier: ever courageous, never sleeps, never misses                  Paul Jefferson – one of the earliest humanitarian de-miners The simplicity and cost effectiveness of mines are a major reason for the widespread use of mines in many countries that are now faced with a gruelling battle for their elimination. Long after guns have fallen silent and peace has been declared, landmines continue to…

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Personal Experiences in the warfront in Sri Lanka Part 3 -Antipersonnel Mines : “The Devil’s Seed” Those who hunger for power try “wading through slaughter to a throne” (Alexander Pope) Antipersonnel landmines are small explosive devices placed underground or fixed above ground and are specifically targeted towards people. These mines come in many different shapes. Often they are camouflaged to blend them into the surroundings and can be fabricated from wood, plastic or metal. They are difficult to locate or…

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Personal experiences in the Warfront in Sri Lanka Part 2 – Landmines: the Hidden Enemy Landmines – History, Background and Types Landmines are explosive devices designed to destroy or damage vehicles, or to wound, kill, or otherwise incapacitate people. They are almost always hidden and camouflaged to match their surroundings, making them seldom seen and difficult to locate. They are usually buried or hidden in grass or buildings, fixed on stakes or to trees. Mines can be activated by being…

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“A Learning experience” Part1- Explosive devices, Explosions and Injuries “As is your sort of mind, so is your sort of search; you will find what you desire”                                                                                                         –    Robert Browning Explosions, the use of explosive devices and the injuries they cause were not a subject of discussion in Sri Lanka until the onset of the North- East conflict in 1983. During my days at the Medical School in the late 1960’s and even afterwards while training to be a Surgeon…

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