Over 500 ex-LTTEers released

Another batch of 552 former LTTE cadres, who had completed their term of rehabilitation were reintegrated into society yesterday.

They were released at a function presided over by Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera at Punthottam Tamil Vidyalaya in Vavuniya yesterday.

The remaining 2,950 youths would be reintegrated into civil society before the end of this year, Rehabilitation Commissioner Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe said.

Maj Gen Ranasinghe said the majority of the 552 youth being reintegrated into society were between the ages of 20 and 35. There were six women among them.

He said: “We have been able to train and reintegrate 7,968 former LTTE cadres.

We are providing the youth with skills, livelihood training so that they may commence a vocation of their choice once reintegrated into society. We have negotiated with the State banks to provide each youth Rs 100,000 to 150,000 to commence their livelihoods.

“We pay these youths frequent visits, speak to them and see whether they have any problems and monitor them until such time we are confident that they can stand on their own feet and that we do not need to care for their welfare any more,” he said. Courtesy www.priu.gov.lk