UNICEF-LTTE agree to work to uplift war affected children

[TamilNet, Friday, 31 January 2003, 17:33 GMT]
The UNICEF and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Friday agreed to work together for the welfare of the war affected children in the northeast after a meeting in Kilinochichi lasting nearly two hours between the UNICEF Executive Director, Ms Carol Bellamy, and LTTE political head Mr.S.P.Thamilselvan, sources said.

UNICEF Sri Lanka's representative Mr. Ted Seipan accompanied Ms Bellamy and LTTE Political head Mr.Thamilsevan was accompanied by Killinochchi Peace Secretariat assistant Ms Selvi during the talks, sources said.

Ms Bellamy of UNICEF and Mr. Thamilselvan, political head of the LTTE met the press at the end of the talks.

UNICEF Executive Director, Ms Carol Bellamy.

Ms Bellamy of UNICEF promised financial aid for education, health and vocational training for children who have been affected by war and currently being taken care in several childcare centres in Vanni, sources said.

Thamilchelvan said that the visit of Ms Bellamy to Killinochchi had given her a true picture of the state of war-affected children. "We explained in detail to the visiting UNICEF official how war affected orphaned children are maintained by childcare centres and how their needs are being catered for with meagre resources," Mr. Thamilselvan said.

LTTE political head Mr. Thamilselvan said elements opposed to the peace process are engaged in spreading false propaganda alleging child conscription by the LTTE. President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge and her advisor Mr.Lakshman Kadirgamar are particularly to be blamed, Thamilchelvan said.

Earlier Ms Bellamy arrived Killinochchi Friday morning around 8.30 and the political administrative secretary Sutha master, Killinochchi Peace Secretariat head Mr.Pulithevan received her.

Later she visited Parathipuram Maha Vidiyalayam and spoke to the students. Head of Thamileelam Educational Unit Mr.Ilankumaran was also present, sources said.

She inquired from children kept in a childcare centre, Gandhi Illam, about the facilities they enjoy. One underage child in Gandhi Illam told visiting UNICEF Executive Director that he has no place to go as he has lost both the parents in the war.



Carol Bellamy and Thamilchelvan



Carol Bellamy talking to a child from Gandhi Illam



Boys being looked after in Gandhi Illam in Jeyanthi Nagar

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