UN official calls for end to war

[TamilNet, Friday, 08 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The number of children who are being affected by the war in Sri Lanka is on the increase and all those who are concerned with the welfare of the children must come together and stop this, said visiting UN Special Representative on Children in Armed Conflict, Mr. Olara Otunnu, while speaking at a meeting held at Vavuniya Town Council hall, yesterday.

No parties in the conflict shall enroll children in their forces and acts that cause damages to civilians cannot be accepted, Mr. Otunnu said.

Those who are engaged in war should realise that conflicts can not be resolved by war. They must work to find out the ways to achieve peace. Then only the war can be stopped, he said.

Senior government officers, SLA officers, Town Council members and NGO representatives were present at the meeting.

All speakers at meeting stressed that war should be stopped and UN should help to bring peace.

Meanwhile, Otunnu visited welfare centres at Vepankulam and Poonthoddam this morning.

He also visited villages, Mathakuvaithakulam, Aandiya Puliyankulam and Pahala Aluthweva, where refugees had been resettled.

Mr. Otunnu left for Colombo this afternoon.