Since Mid 2008, the UK's Conflict Prevention Pool (CPP)  has been providing support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex child combatants through UNICEF and other project partners. The CPP is a source of funding to support the UK aim of preventing international conflict and is managed jointly by the Department for  International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth  Office and Ministry of Defence. It brings together the UK  government's development, diplomatic, and defence  expertise to ensure a coherent response to conflict prevention.

With UNICEF involvement the Government of Sri Lanka  (GoSL) has made significant advances regarding setting up structures and policies to support its obligations in  relation to children leaving armed groups. The Office of the Commissioner General for Rehabilitation  (CGR) has led the way with specific initiatives during this period.  Establishment of the Ambepussa Centre for the rehabilitation of children leaving armed groups in April 2008; signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  (MOU) with UNICEF; clarifying roles and responsibilities  in relation to the prevention, release, care, protection and reintegration of children associated with armed groups; the drafting of an Emergency Regulation in relation to the provision of rehabilitation for children leaving armed groups; the development of a public awareness campaign against child recruitment; and the  facilitation of the Action Plan, signed between the GoSL, TMVP and UNICEF the key initiatives.

UNICEF also supported interim care services for vulnerable children and worked in collaboration with the  Department of Probation and Child Care to prevent  institutionalisation of children and promote family  reunification and reintegration. To date 670 children are being reintegrated within their communities and being provided appropriate education, vocational training,livelihood and psychosocial At present there are 110 children, girls and boys residing at the centre and their  parents are given access to interact with them freely. A further 160 children have been identified and registered in Vavuniya and plans are underway to ensure these children can access rehabilitation support. During their time at the centre they are provided with a Government certificate for Vocational Training and other lost documentation such as birth certificates, National Identification and passport to enable them to return to their normal lives