Thirty four child soldiers were released to the UNICEF-supported transit centre in Kilinochchi last night by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The 34 children include 21 girls and 13 boys ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old.

UNICEF will begin work immediately with its partner NGOs to assess the situation of the children and to reunite them with their families.

“UNICEF welcomes the release of these children,” said Geoffrey Keele, UNICEF spokesperson in Sri Lanka. “All of these children will go home soon and we are very glad to assist them in reuniting with their families.”

However, UNICEF says that the LTTE has continued to recruit children across the North and the East of the country despite having made a commitment to put an end to this practice.

“Over the past three months, recruitment of children by the LTTE has continued despite commitments the organization made to cease all underage conscription. This is simply unacceptable and all recruitment must cease now,” Mr Keele stated.

“UNICEF looks forward to a renewed commitment by the LTTE to cease all child recruitment and to release those children currently in their ranks.” he said. “Every child freed is a step in the right direction.”