Comments for UNICEF reacts as govt. names ex-child soldiers at http://www.sibernews.com , comment 0 to 2 out of 2 comments http://www.sibernews.com Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:25:16 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.sibernews.com/news/sri-lanka/-200708319455/#pc_6898 From under the Kaithady bridge two child soldiers sprang on to the road a month after the peace truce was declared with mechine guns in hand.They seemed lonely and friendly.They had hardly seen any human being on that road.Other than them and two civilians no one else was there. Here is the truth. They were 16yrs and 17yrs old hailing from a village close to Kandy which they declared.They said they were not treated well,no shelter,no proper meals and rest while the higher ups were flying to colombo to enjoy week ends. If they ran away the army will harrass and eventually arrest their family members and toture them. Their pay which is very poor goes directly to their parents who are very poor.This was how they were enticed to join the army.They had only two weeks of trining how to use a machine gun. They had guns in their hands. If they did run away they can never ever go back to their parents and their village becuase the army has men to look for them and will come for them to toture and murder. So what is the government crying about? The Tamil children who run away to fight for their land and freedom are the children who have suffered the most,who are either orphans having lost their parents when shot by the army or bombed.Or children having to go through untold misery due to this war that they want their freedom.Even if they lose their lives fighting for the future of their Tamil brothers and sisters. What are the child soldiers of the GOSL fighting for? Please don't give us the crap that they are all fighting to save their country.! They,GOSL and the politicians of the south will be the first to become traitors if a foreign invasion takes place. - R.Gnanaratnam Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:07:01 +0100 http://www.sibernews.com/news/sri-lanka/-200708319455/#pc_6889 This seems highly irresponsible of the Sri Lankan government, as though it is counting on reprisal attacks against these children. Little kids forced into military service should be protected by anonymity--they shouldn't have their names broadcasted to the world. - Kelsie Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:29:51 +0100