Special body to rehabilitate NE children urged

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 October 2002, 21:07 GMT]
"In the northeast of the island more than 900,000 children have been affected by the war. At least 350,000 children have been displaced. About 2000 children have been deprived of their basic education. A special body comprising provincial council and other connected state and non-governmental organisations is urgently needed to rehabilitate these children under the present peaceful environment," said Mr S.M. Cross, Deputy Project Director of the North East Community Reconstruction Development (NECORD) addressing the International Children's Day in Trincomalee Tuesday.

Mr.Croos further said that children in Vanni region have been very badly affected due to the war. "We must dedicate ourselves to work for the betterment of the children who have been affected by the war. Although peace prevails in the country, children living in villages in the northeast still suffer due to the impact of the war. Thousands of children have no schooling facilities. They suffer from malnutrition. Schools are without furniture and proper buildings. Rehabilitation of war affected children in the northeast province should immediately commence on a war footing."

Mr S.M. Cross, Deputy Project Director of the North East Community Reconstruction Development (NECORD) addressing the International Children's Day in Trincomalee Tuesday.

Ms N.R.Ranjinie, Provincial Commissioner of Social Welfare said in her presidential address that more than twenty five percent of northeast students do not attend schools due to poverty.

The Chief Guest Mr.A.Amirthalingam, Secretary to the Provincial Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Social Welfare said child abuse is on the increase in Sri Lanka. Parents and community leaders should give more attention to the welfare of the children.

Ms Kamala Sivasithambaram, Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Public Administration and Deputy Chief Secretary for Finance Mt.S.Mahalingam also spoke.