PTI News
The Sri Lankan government plans to release all former LTTE child soldiers, currently being rehabilitated at various centres, by May 10.
Around 510 child soldiers below 18 years of age had surrendered to the army on May last year following the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and are undergoing a one-year rehabilitation following a court order.
They were produced before a Magistrate and the court has ordered the Government to release the child soldiers after the rehabilitation programme.
National Child Protection Authority Chairman Jagath Wellawatte said the Government recently handed over 150 child soldiers to their parents and guardians. Another 273 children are continuing studies at a centre in Ratmalana in Colombo suburbs.
(Submitted by Rohila Pritam)