Vocational training for former LTTE cadres

Vocational and Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage who made an inspection tour in Polonnaruwa, Welikanda area recently has made arrangements to acquire a land of 50 acres in extent belonging to Mahaweli Authority to set up a farm to provide training facilities for the youth held in Detention Camps.

This follows a request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Minister to take steps to provide vocational training facilities to the youth in these camps.

President also emphasised the necessity to launch agricultural courses suitable to the areas concerned.

Nearly 188 leading LTTE members have been detained at Welikanda Centre and they are to be given vocational training in four courses shortly.

Steps have been taken to get the assistance of the Livestock Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry to launch these courses and instructors from Polonnaruwa Technical College will also be deployed in this direction.

During the inspection tour, Minister also gave a patient hearing to the detainees. The detainees also expressed their joy and satisfaction at the visit made by the minister and his officials to look into their problems.

They also explained to the minister that they looked forward to get back to their villages after receiving the training and lead a peaceful life with their parents and family members.