A de-mining group run by UNP parliamentarian Milinda Moragoda will come under the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Select Committee on NGOs, headed by JVP MP Vijitha Herath.

The NGO called the Milinda Moragoda Institute has received funds from foreign donors such as Norway for de-mining, in agreement with the Nation Building Development Ministry as well.

On the last occasion NGO activities in relation to the national security of the country were discussed at length by the Select Committee in the Parliament complex with Defence Ministry officials presenting facts on the issue.

Mr. Herath told the Daily Mirror yesterday it had been decided to allow only international NGOs to carry out de-mining activities in the North-East, and queried as to how this particular volunteer organization run by Mr. Moragoda is engaged in such activities despite being a local organization.

“The organization has received some funds from Norway for its mission here and has signed an agreement with the Nation Building Development Ministry. We have requested the Ministry to submit a copy of the agreement to be studied by the Committee,” he said.

He said that some volunteer organizations involved in de-mining, are also engaged in other activities such as conducting workshops on federalism and power devolution.

“According to the constitutions of these organizations, such activities can be carried out. But, we decided not to allow such de-mining groups to engage in other matters taking national security into consideration,” he said.