The Sri Lanka government has conveyed to the United Nations Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, that it would adopt necessary measures to cause an independent and credible investigation into allegations made against some elements of the security forces, in connection with the abduction and recruitment of children by the Karuna faction.

The assurance was made just days after Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe appointed a committee to inquire into the alleged abduction and recruitments of children to be used in the armed conflict.

“The government is fully committed to the rehabilitation and reintegration of child combatants, who escaped from captivity of the armed groups, back into the society. The programme is being done through the provision of a protective environment as well as family reunification and vocational training,” the sources said.

The Committee to Inquire into Allegations of Abductions and Recruitment of Children for Use in Armed Conflict comprises senior officials including Justice Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath, Child Development Ministry Secretary Indrani Sugathadasa, Disaster Management Ministry Additional Secretary G.K.D. Amarawardane, Deputy Solicitor General Shavindra Fernando and AG’s Department Deputy Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda.

The other members include representative of the Foreign Ministry Secretary, representatives of the three armed forces and police, nominated by the Defence Secretary, the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) Secretary General and the Child Protection Authority Chairman.

The Committee is aimed at liaising with other consultative and coordinating mechanisms established by the government that bear responsibility for the safeguarding of human rights and rights under humanitarian law, especially of children caught up in conflict.

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