Six female LTTE child soldiers surrender

Rasika Somarathna

SITHTHANDY: Six female LTTE child soldiers from Thoppigala, surrendered to the Army at Siththandy camp in the Batticaloa district last Friday, complaining of forcible recruitment and continuous harassment including hard labour.

Brigade Commander Lt. COL. Napagoda speaking to the Daily News, said one girl was 14 years and four others were 16 and the other was 17.

These child soldiers were used at defence positions in the Narakamulla area in Thoppigala. According to Lt. Col. Napagoda, these children were neither provided with any proper equipment, dresses or training. The children had also revealed that many such child soldiers existed who were being forcibly detained by the LTTE.

These child soldiers had also revealed that one of the terrorists killed during the recent confrontation at Talawaya in Eravur was a LTTE leader called Nagulan who had been on a punishment transfer from the Vanni. These children had braved a very difficult terrain coming through marshy lands and the lagoon to escape from the LTTE clutches.

Lt. COL. Napagoda appealed to the frustrated LTTE cadres to surrender saying that they would be fully-protected and looked after by the relevant authorities.