Govt has a zero tolerance policy on child soldier recruitment -
FM
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has reiterated the Sri Lankan
Government policy of zero tolerance towards child soldier recruitment at
a meeting with the UN Under Secretary General and Special Representative
for Children and Armed Conflict, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, who called on
him at the Foreign Ministry on Friday.
The Foreign Minister said that the government accorded the highest
priority for the rehabilitation of ex-child soldiers who had been
rescued or released. In this regard, great care is taken in handling
these children who have been traumatised, to ensure that they are able
to be re-integrated into society, after a period of counselling, and
vocational training, so that they would become law abiding citizens.
Dr. Coomaraswamy briefed the Minister on the role and functions of
the UN Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. She said that the
Working Group was very keen to secure the release of all child
combatants and work for their rehabilitation. Minister Bogollagama
expressed confidence that the armed conflict in the country would be
over soon, and the issue of child soldiers in Sri Lanka would be
history.
The Minister and Dr. Coomaraswamy also exchanged views on other
matters connected to UN-Sri Lanka cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and senior officials of the
Foreign Ministry were present at the meeting. |
