President, UNICEF chief share concerns about children in conflict

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga met UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman soon after her address to the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. Veneman congratulated President Kumaratunga on her address and said she shared her views and her concern for children, a release from the Presidential Media Unit said.

They discussed their shared commitment to uplift the welfare of children the world over. Veneman said she could not agree more with President Kumaratunga about the three scourges that afflict the world, namely poverty, disease and terrorism. They discussed the continued reports of the LTTE's conscription of children in the North and East and the need to draw the awareness of these gross violations of the ceasefire agreement to the international community.

Veneman took up this issue with the LTTE during a post-tsunami visit to Sri Lanka in June this year.

During her UN address, President Kumaratunga outlined the work done by Sri Lanka's National Child Protection Authority, which she reiterated to the UNICEF Chief during their meeting.

The President explained the many programmes implemented to eliminate abuse and violence against children and ensure their protection as well as their rights to enjoy childhood.

President Kumaratunga said Sri Lanka's success is due to the outcome of sustained efforts at policy planning and implementing.