The United Nations has charged the LTTE with committing grave human rights violations, including the recruitment of child soldiers and sexual violence against children, particularly girls in situations of armed conflict1. Reports noted that the Sri Lanka government had launched a special programme to provide security in schools to be implemented jointly by the National Cadet Corps and the Education Ministry under the direction of the Defence Ministry2.

Clashes between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan army continued with the latter successfully capturing the ‘Mannar Rice Bowl’3. Meanwhile, the offices of Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation in the US were sealed on charges of raising funds on behalf of LTTE4.

On the bilateral front, Sri Lanka and Maldives have decided to cooperate with each other on issues relating to terrorism and environment5. The Japanese government reiterated its assurance to maintain the steady pace of aid flow to Sri Lanka6.

• 1. “Tigers among six blatant HR violators,” Daily News, February 14, 2008, at http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/02/14/news03.asp
• 2. “Colombo claims destruction of LTTE operation centre,” The Hindu, February 17, 2008, at http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/17/stories/200802
• 3. “Troops take area south of Adampan,” Daily News, February 9, 2008, at http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/02/09/sec01.asp
• 4. US lawmakers - Tiger lobby links exposed,” Daily News, February 11, 2008, http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/02/11/sec01.asp
• 5. “Lanka, Maldives: Joint action to fight terror,” Daily News, February 9, 2008, at http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/02/14/news01.asp
• 6. “Aid commitments to Sri Lanka intact,” Daily News, February 15, 2008, at http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/02/15/news01.asp