Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Colombo (Agenzia Fides) - The Non declared but real civil war in Sri Lanka - with vast military operations on both sides - is having a disastrous effect on children according to local NGOs and UNICEF. The humanitarian organisations say numerous children in Sri Lanka forced from their homes, living in fear and insecurity, deprived of school, play and contact with other children, suffer from psychological and social trauma.
The organisations also report trafficking of minors and recruitment of child soldiers. The situation is most serious in the north east mainly Tamil area with 3 million people victims of fierce conflict and grave humanitarian consequences and which has produced at least 500,000 displaced persons.
In the meantime hundreds of parents in the north east of the Island have asked for help to protect their children from being abducted by LTTE and other armed groups.
UNICEF says the LTTE has about 1.500 child soldiers, as well as 142 child soldiers among the troops of LTTE break-away colonel Karuna. In 2006 UNICEF said the regular army was also involved in recruitment of child soldiers.
In the last 23 years Sri Lanka has been torn apart in a civil war started by separatist movement Liberation Tigers of Tamil LTTE, which has left 60,000 dead, one million displaced persons and has frozen all development.
Military conflict resumed in 2006 with increasing danger for children and humanitarian organisations are urging national and international political leaders and religious and social leaders to help stop the conflict. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/5/2007 righe 26 parole 268)
