The LTTE has been accused of recruiting and using child soldiers to fight against Sri Lankan government forces . The LTTE was accused of having up to 5,794 child soldiers in its ranks since 2001 . Amid international pressure , the LTTE announced in July 2003 that it would stop conscripting child soldiers , but UNICEF and Human Rights Watch have accused it of reneging on its promises , and of conscripting Tamil children orphaned by the tsunami . On 18 June 2007 , the LTTE released 135 children under 18 years of age . UNICEF , along with the United States , states that there has been a significant drop in LTTE recruitment of children , but claimed in 2007 that 506 child recruits remain under the LTTE . A report released by the LTTE 's Child Protection Authority ( CPA ) in 2008 stated that less than 40 soldiers under age 18 remained in its forces . In 2009 a Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations said the Tamil Tigers " continue to recruit children to fight on the frontlines " , and " use force to keep many civilians , including children , in harm 's way " . Although some children were forcefully recruited , many voluntarily joined the LTTE after witnessing or experiencing abuses by Sri Lankan security forces , seeking to " protect their families or to avenge real or perceived abuses . " The LTTE argues that instances of child recruitment occurred mostly in the east , under the purview of former LTTE regional commander Colonel Karuna . After leaving the LTTE and forming the TMVP , it is alleged that Karuna continued to forcibly kidnap and induct child soldiers
the tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam