Over 7,000 children conscripted by LTTE

Media and Information Minister cites recent UNICEF report:

Chaminda PERERA

The UNICEF in a recent report has said that over 7,000 children were conscripted into the LTTE's fighting cadre and some have died while others are either injured or under LTTE custody, Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said.

Addressing the media in Colombo, the Minister said several UN agencies and International organisations drew extensive attention on child conscription being carried out by the LTTE violating international norms and practices.

The Minister said these children are abducted and enlisted to the Tiger forces after initial weapon training. "The LTTE should take the responsibility for putting these children's lives in jeopardy by depriving their right of education," he said.

The LTTE's child conscription drive was streamlined after the TRO was set up in the North. The European Union last week demanded the immediate halt of child and civilian conscription into the LTTE's fighting force.

The EU said that the LTTE should allow civilians to enter liberated areas and disarm itself for the benefit of civilians.