Children in Jaffna protective custody to attend schools

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 December 2007, 17:09 GMT]
Jaffna district magistrate Mr. R. T. Vicknarajah issued directive to Education authorities in Jaffna Thursday to make arrangements for the children and youths less than 18-years old, placed in the protective custody in the Rehabilitation Centre in Jaffna due to death threats by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries, to attend schools located close the Rehabilitation Centre.

Earlier, the men seeking protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna were placed in protective custody of Jaffna Prison while the females and children less than 18 years were sheltered in the welfare institution attached to Canaan Church in Irupaalay.

Presently, the children and women are placed in the Rehabilitation Centre located in the old Jaffna High Court building.

The Director of Education in Jaffna has made arrangements to carry out the directive issued by Jaffna district magistrate and a group of children are enrolled in schools close to the Centre.

A select group of Organizations engaged in the welfare of children in Jaffna have volunteered to provide material assistance to the children.