Watchlist

Despite the official end of hostilities in May 2009, children in Sri Lanka are still victims of conflict-related violations. While the number of cases of child recruitment by the LTTE and TMVP has significantly decreased, threats of further recruitment remain and individuals who had been recruited as children and are now over 18 remain associated with the armed groups. Combats leading to the end of hostilities, in particular in the North of the country, resulted in numerous cases of death and maiming of children from artillery fire from both the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE. These combats also caused severe damage to schools and hospitals and led to a massive displacement of civilian population and the establishment of IDP camps where children remain vulnerable to violence. Schools have also reportedly been occupied by the Sri Lankan armed forces or partially used as detention centres for former combatants, which greatly disrupts children’s education. Humanitarian access has been another challenge, as areas where combats took place were closed off to aid agencies and there are further restrictions of access to return areas and IDP camps. This leaves children displaced by the conflict in a situation of dire need, especially as those who are unaccompanied, orphaned or disabled.