Govt committed to uplift living standards of rehabilitated LTTEers

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne yesterday said that the government is committed to uplift the living standards of the rehabilitated ex- LTTE cadres.

He said that the international community failed in understanding the government’s policy on former LTTE cadres though much has been done for their rehabilitation by the government.

“We regret that the international community has not given much focus on government’s policy on former LTTE cadres,” he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking after a meeting with a contingent of 384 former LTTE cadres at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy yesterday.

They are being rehabilitated at the Senapura Rehabilitation centre, Welikanda.

It is hilarious that some Western countries are acting as though blind though the government has done many things to reintegrate former LTTE cadres into society after a rehabilitation drive. These rehabilitated former LTTE cadres who are on a four day familiarization tour in many parts of the country yesterday handed over a special letter to Prime Minister at the Sri Dalada Maligawa yesterday.

The rehabilitated members said that international intervention in Sri Lanka is a threat to the country’s sovereignty and democratic norms and practices.

They said in their letter that they are prepared to support the government’s development drive. They said that the Sinhalese community has faith in them and that was manifested during their visits to many areas in the South.

The Prime Minister also opened a painting exhibition by these rehabilitated youths at the Bauddha Mandiraya in the Maligawa premises

The youths paid their homage to the Temple of Tooth Relic after handing over the letter to Prime Minister. Rehabilitation and Prisons Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, Deputy Minister Abdul Cader and Rehabilitation Commissioner General Brigadier Darshana Hettiarachchi were also present.