Sri Lankan children overwhelmingly support peace, new poll reveals

If they were President, only three per cent of Sri Lankan children would be in favour of fighting a war. Most children would instead prefer to promote peace and bridge political and ethnic differences, a poll released yesterday revealed.

The Children's Opinion Poll commissioned by the Children As Zones of Peace (CZOP), a collaboration of local and international NGOs and UN Agencies, has found that 97 per cent of children that are aware of the peace process, see the peace process as good for Sri Lanka.

The children surveyed identified a number of benefits in the ceasefire, including a reduction in killings; development of the country; and a safer and peaceful environment in which to live.

One child who participated in the poll said: "If the world gets to see that we are living in peace, that will make us so happy and we can be proud of our country." The Sri Lanka-wide survey of 1,500 children between the ages of nine and 16, from different religions, ethnic groups and socio economic classes, was conducted by ACNielsen from February to April 2005.

The poll aims, to better understand the views and perceptions of Sri Lankan Children on peace and the climate for peace in Sri Lanka, says CZOP Taskforce Team Leader, Dr. James Arputharaj. "Children represent both the present and the future," said Dr. Arputharaj. "They overwhelmingly support peace and harmony. We have to listen and respect their views."

The poll also represents hope for a country still emerging from 20 years of civil war. "The children of Sri Lanka support peace," says Greg Duly, Country Director Save the Children in Sri Lanka, "and that is very good news for the future of this country."