Said the director of the Coalition, Victoria Forbes Adam: 'Given the background of large-scale disappearances in Sri Lanka, there are grave fears that some of the reported incidents of children and adults being removed from IDP camps may represent enforced disappearances.'

The Coalition has received reports of continued abductions for ransom and forced recruitment of children by pro-government armed groups.

'The end of the 25-year-long conflict represents a unique opportunity to release and reintegrate all former child soldiers and to assist thousands of other conflict-affected children in Sri Lanka,' Adam said.

'It will take concerted and coordinated efforts by Sri Lankan authorities and the international community to ensure that this opportunity is not squandered,' she added.