Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told the UN Under - Secretary General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy that the Sri Lankan Government has a policy of zero tolerance towards child soldier recruitment when thelatter called on him at the Foreign Ministry on August 15.

The Foreign Minister stated that the Government accorded the highest priority for the rehabilitation of ex-child soldiers who had been rescued or released. In this regard, great care is taken in handling these children who have been traumatized, to ensure that they are able to be re-integrated into society, after a period of counselling, and vocational training, so that they would become law abiding citizens.

Dr. Coomaraswamy briefed the Minister on the role and functions of the UN Working Groupon Children and Armed Conflict. She said that the Working Group was very keen to secure the release of all child combatants and work for their rehabilitation.

The Minister and Dr. Coomaraswamy also exchanged views on other matters connected to UN - Sri Lanka cooperation.