Welfare measures for children in conflict areas hailed

by Mohammed NAALIR

Retired Major General and Special Envoy for the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children Affected by Armed Conflict, Patrick Cammaert who visited welfare villages and rehabilitation centres with a view to ascertain the impact of the recent conflict on children was satisfied with the rehabilitation and welfare measures being carried out for the children affected by the armed conflict and child soldiers.

Speaking to the media at United Nations' Head Office in Colombo, he said that the Sri Lankan Government is making significant efforts to address the needs of internally displaced children and former child soldiers.

The special envoy stated that he had been assured by Attorney General Mohan Pieris that the children formally associated with armed groups were considered as victims and would not be prosecuted.

General Cammaert talked to the children formerly associated with armed groups and their parents in several rehabilitation centres.With regard to children recruited by the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal , the Special Envoy received the assurance of the Chief Minister S. Chandrakanthan as well as Minister V. Muralitharan that they will cooperate with the police to expedite remaining cases in accordance with the action plan signed with the Government and the UN in December 2008 to halt child recruitment.