|
Vocational training in various fields:
Over 508 ex-LTTE combatants released today
Irangika RANGE
Over 508 ex-LTTE combatants who underwent rehabilitation will be
reintegrated to the society in Vavuniya today.
Rehabilitation Commissioner General Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe
told the Daily News that 508 rehabilitaters including 333 males and 175
females who successfully completed their training will be handed over to
their parents and relations at a ceremony to be held at Pompemadu
Rehabilitation Centre in Vavuniya.
Among them, nearly 400 ex-LTTE child combatants who sat the GCE
Advanced Level (A/L) examination last August and 17 mothers with their
children will be reintegrated into civilian life.
�They underwent vocational training in various fields and were
released after successfully completing their programs. When the
rehabilitation process started, we gave them the option either to
continue with the formal education or follow vocational training,� he
said.
Those who underwent rehabilitation were of several categories such as
agriculture, carpentry, masonry, driving heavy vehicles and fisheries.
Women were trained in sewing, cookery, beauty culture, computers and
horticulture.
�We categorized them into several groups and started to rehabilitate
them according to their abilities,� he said. They were made aware on
both psychical and mental health conditions while conducting drama,
singing and yoga programs for their spiritual developments. They have
been provided with employment opportunities, while some of them are
already employed in the private sector,� he said.
�We want them to lead a normal and peaceful life and secure a
dignified job, This would enable them to lead a disciplined life.�
Those who are being released today were abducted and forced to join
the LTTE. They will be able to lead a normal life from today ensuring
them a better future, he said. |
