The Government of Sri Lanka welcomes the release on Monday (07 April) of eleven children by the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP). The Commissioner-General of Rehabilitation, Suhada Gamalath, on behalf of the Government accepted these children, who are thought to have been involved in the conflict, and has directed relevant authorities to commence a programme of rehabilitation for these children with immediate effect. In keeping with the Government’s undertaking given to several international forums dealing with the issue of children and armed conflict, especially the UN Security Council’s Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, the Government has taken steps to secure the release of, and initiate programmes of rehabilitation for, children caught up in armed conflict.

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