Loans for rehabilitated LTTEers to start self-employment projects

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The government has released Rs. 300 million to the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry to provide loans to the rehabilitated LTTE cadres to start self - employment projects.

The Cabinet has approved a proposal presented by Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera, to introduce a scheme through a state bank to provide the loans for rehabilitated LTTE cadres.

The government has reintegrated 10,375 former combatants from the North and East into the society following the successful completion of a rehabilitation programme conducted by the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation.

The reintegrated cadres have received vocational training as part of the rehabilitation process to enable them to be self-employed.

Another 765 cadres will be integrated in to society after the completion of their rehabilitation programme.

The ministry will provide these loans to 2,000 persons according to the recommendations giving by the Divisional Secretaries.

Those who have given the recommendation will be provided loans up to a maximum of Rs. 250,000. Credit facilities to the recommended persons will be provided through the Bank of Ceylon (BoC)

The government has spent Rs. 2.5 billion on the rehabilitation activities of ex-LTTE cadres since the conflict ended in May 2009