Program to reintegrate ex-LTTEers into civil society

The Justice and Law Reforms Ministry is working closely with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to launch a $23 millin program for “Reintegrating ex-LTTE Cadres into Civil society, states a Justice Ministry press release.

The Government of Japan, United Kingdom and the United States of America have pledged their support for the program.

This initiative also involves a strong public/private partnership, with a number of Sri Lanka’s leading companies providing assistance both in cash and kind. These include Aitken Spence, Brandix, Ceylon Tobacco, Dilmah, Hayleys, John Keells, MAS Holdings, Unilever and Ajitha de Zoysa.

In addition, Raj Rajaratnam, the Sri Lankan-born US-based investment manager with interests in a number of local companies, has also joined this private sector initiative in supporting the Government IOM Program with a grant of US$ 1 million. Other members of the Sri Lankan diaspora have also expressed interest in providing assistance.

The program encompasses education, training and livelihood creation components. Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda said this initiative endorses President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s vision of co-operation between the Government, the private sector, the diaspora and the international community to build a prosperous future for all Sri Lankans.