UN closes its dossier on children and armed conflict in SL

27 December 2012 08:47 am Views - 4225

The Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict adopted the “Draft Conclusions on the situation of children and armed conflict in Sri Lanka” on December 19, 2012, thereby closing the dossier on Sri Lanka in the Security Council.

Issuing a statement the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York said, Prior to adopting the Draft Conclusions, the Working Group has considered the report of the Secretary- General on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka, and its recommendations in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009). The Mission had engaged a range of entities over the months on this issue.

It also said that,  “Sri Lanka’s rehabilitation and reintegration of former child combatants and the delisting of the TMVP and the Iniya Bharathi Faction from Annex II (“Naming and Shaming List” ) of the annual report of the Secretary- General contributed to this positive outcome.”

Ambassador Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York was invited by the Chair of the Working Group, Ambassador Dr. Peter Wittig, the Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations, to make a statement following the adoption of the Draft Conclusions. In his opening remarks, the Chair stated that this would be the last time Sri Lanka will appear before the Security Council on the issue of children and armed conflict and congratulated Sri Lanka on its success, it added.