Sri Lanka yesterday celebrated the first-ever International Day of the Girl Child since its declaration last year with a ceremony attended by a group of rehabilitated former female combatants of LTTE.

The United Nations General Assembly last year adopted a resolution to designate October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child to recognize girls' rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

To mark the first celebration for the International Day of the Girl Child, the Ministry of Child Development and Women's Affairs is implementing various programs around the country.

As part of the activities President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with a group of rehabilitated former female combatants of the terrorist group LTTE at the Temple Trees yesterday.

External Affairs Minister prof. G.L. Peiris, Child Development and Women's Affairs Minister Tissa Karalliyadde and Plantation Minister and President's Special Human Rights Envoy Mahinda Samarasinghe also participated in the event.

The national celebration will take place today at the BMICH with the participation of over 1,000 schoolgirls from schools across the country.

The first-ever International Day of the Girl Child this year will focus on child marriage, which is a fundamental human rights violation that impacts all aspects of a girl's life.

The Day will also promote equal treatment and opportunities for girls around the world in areas such as law, nutrition, health care, education, training, and freedom from violence and abuse.