Loans for former LTTE cadres
Over 1,200 rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres reintegrated into mainstream
society will receive loans on July 30:
Ridma DISSANAYAKE
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Minister
Chandrasiri Gajadeera |
Low interest loans will be provided to rehabilitated former LTTE
cadres to begin their livelihood, Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms
Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera said.
He said over 1,200 rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres reintegrated into
mainstream society will receive the loans on July 30 at a ceremony at
Temple Trees to be held under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's patronage.
The minister said the loans with a maximum limit of Rs 250,000 will be
administered through Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank and National Savings
Bank. It will have a four percent interest rate with a 10 year repayment
period. Only the interest is required to be paid back during the first
year, Gajadeera said.
The loans will be provided to start self-employment, small
industries, agricultural projects and other vocational training
programmes, the minister said. "Not only have we rehabilitated and
reintegrated them into society, but we are also creating an environment
for them to contribute to the national economy by this loan scheme,"
Minister Gajadeera said. The banks are processing the applications,
ministry sources said.
During and immediately after the final phase of the war 11,700 LTTE
cadres surrendered to the Security Forces or were arrested by the
Security Forces.
According to sources, the government spent Rs 2.5 billion to
rehabilitate ex-LTTE cadres since the conflict ended in May 2009.
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