The UNICEF yesterday welcomed the release of 11 children from the ranks of the TMVP as a "positive step towards ending the use of children by armed groups in Sri Lanka."

Speaking from Colombo, the head of the UN children’s agency in Sri Lanka, Philippe Duamelle, highlighted the important role played by the government in securing the release of the children, and encouraged the TMVP to pursue the release of all children in its ranks.

"Whilst this is an encouraging development, we continue to look forward to the release of all children in the ranks of armed groups in Sri Lanka," he said.

UNICEF supports the government in the care and reintegration of children who have been released. The names of children released by armed groups are checked against the child recruitment database maintained by UNICEF, and the figures adjusted accordingly.