By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala Service

Children and women usually are the most vulnerable members of the society who suffer most in a war-like situation, activists said.

	UNICEF says nearly a dozen children have been killed in recent violence

"The pshychological impact of these air raids and claymore bomb attacks on children may prove disastrous as future generations may turn to be more violent," former head of Child Protection authority Prof. Harendra Silva said.

Nearly a dozen children have been killed and thousands more are being displaced after the recent clashes in the north and the east, according to UNICEF.

"Sri Lankan children in areas most affected by recent clashes are paying a high price for the escalating tension in the island," a statement issued last week by UNICEF stated.

Lost hope

Child rights activists in the area have been assessing the situation since the latest escalation of violence.

Rev. Dr. Jeyanesan of South India Church is taking care of orphanages run by the Church in the eastern Sri Lanka.

The children were hiding as they thought another war is on the way. Not only they very scared, they have lost hope on the future Rev. Dr. Jeyanesan

Many children have abandoned their homes immediately after the air raids in the Trincomalee district, he says.

"The children were hiding as they thought another war is on the way. Not only they very scared, they have lost hope on the future”.

The activist has visited northern districts of Vavuniya and Jaffna districts where UNICEF says at least nine children were killed or injured.

Lack of education

"Safeguarding the children, educating and properly feeding them should be the priorities of a society”.

And Rev. Dr. Jeyanesan says it will be disastrous for the future generation if the war breaks out as they have already behind a couple of years in their education plans.

We found that the suicidal rate among youngsters in these villagers is nearly twice than other areas Prof. Harendra Silva

International truce monitors have admitted that the government forces and the Tamil Tigers are engaged in a "low-intensity war".

A team led by Prof. Harendra Silva have recently carried out a survey in border villagers on effects of war over children.

"We found that the suicidal rate among youngsters in these villagers is nearly twice than other areas".

Suicide rate

The activists admit that neither party can be exempted from targeting civilians, especially children.

I appeal both parties to stop these killings in the name of children Rev. Dr. Jeyanesan

Amnesty International says it has credible reports that Sri Lanka Navy and EPDP members were present at the murder scene in Kayts Island where a four-month old infant and a four-year old child were gunned down.

Tamil Tigers are accused of hacking to death a young mother while she was breastfeeding her infant in Serunuwara a few weeks ago and killing school children in Gomarankadawala.

"I will blame both sides," says Rev. Dr. Jeyanesan, "I appeal both parties to stop these killings in the name of children".