July 03, Colombo: The United Nations Secretary-General wants the Government of Sri Lanka to give priority to the rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers into the community.

The Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon in his report to the Security Council on children and armed conflict in Sri Lanka, has urged the Government of Sri Lanka to build on the progress achieved to date with the support of the U.N. and other parties, his spokesperson Ms. Michele Montas said at the UN press briefing on Thursday.

The UN Chief urged the government to ensure that the identification, release, and rehabilitation of all children leaving armed groups and their successful reintegration into the communities is given priority and implemented in accordance with international standards.

According to the spokesperson Mr. Ban has asked the Sri Lankan government to ensure that children released by armed groups have access to care, protection and reintegration programmes, including other appropriate assistance to those recruited as children who are now over 18 years of age.

While urging the Sri Lankan Government to allow the humanitarian workers more access and delivery of assistance to internally displaced persons, the Secretary-General wanted to ensure relevant care and protection for children separated from their families, and to address the high rates of malnutrition among internally displaced children.

The Secretary-General also urges the Government to ensure effective implementation of its "zero tolerance" position on child recruitment, including systematic and vigorous investigations for every reported case, followed by prosecutions and convictions of responsible perpetrators, the spokesperson said.

Sri Lankan government has established separate camps for child soldiers where they receive vocational training and psychological counseling in addition to humanitarian care.