This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6192217.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tigers 'abduct' 24 schoolchildren | Tigers 'abduct' 24 schoolchildren |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Tamil Tiger rebels have kidnapped 24 schoolchildren in eastern Sri Lanka, a military spokesman has announced. | Tamil Tiger rebels have kidnapped 24 schoolchildren in eastern Sri Lanka, a military spokesman has announced. |
| Brig Prasad Samarasinghe told the BBC the children, mostly teenage girls, were taken away from a class in eastern Ampara area. | Brig Prasad Samarasinghe told the BBC the children, mostly teenage girls, were taken away from a class in eastern Ampara area. |
| The parents of the children have left for rebel-held territory to "talk to the rebels and persuade them to free the children," he said. | |
| The rebels have not yet commented on the incident. | The rebels have not yet commented on the incident. |
| Brig Samarasinghe said 21 girls and three boys, all teenagers, were preparing for a school examination when they were picked up by the rebels on Monday evening. | Brig Samarasinghe said 21 girls and three boys, all teenagers, were preparing for a school examination when they were picked up by the rebels on Monday evening. |
| "The incident was reported to the local police. The police have informed the peace monitors and the human rights commission," he said. | "The incident was reported to the local police. The police have informed the peace monitors and the human rights commission," he said. |
| Brig Samarasinghe said the children could have been taken away for "forced conscription". | Brig Samarasinghe said the children could have been taken away for "forced conscription". |
| The issue of child recruitment has been a major point of difference between government, human rights and international organisations and the rebels. | The issue of child recruitment has been a major point of difference between government, human rights and international organisations and the rebels. |
| The Tigers have in the past denied recruiting child troops. | The Tigers have in the past denied recruiting child troops. |
| The rebels have been fighting for independence for the 2.5m-strong minority Tamil community in the north and east of the country. | The rebels have been fighting for independence for the 2.5m-strong minority Tamil community in the north and east of the country. |
| At least 3,400 people have been killed in the conflict in the past year, the government says. More than 60,000 lives have been lost since 1972. | At least 3,400 people have been killed in the conflict in the past year, the government says. More than 60,000 lives have been lost since 1972. |