Ex-LTTE cadres well looked after - IOM Chief

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Ex-LTTE cadres well looked after - IOM Chief
Former LTTE combatants at rehabilitation centres are well looked after and there had been no complaints, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka, Richard Danziger stated.
Addressing the media at the IOM Colombo office, on the eve of the International Migrants' Day, Danziger said that the IOM had provided opportunity for ex-LTTE combatants to reintegrate into civilian society by providing job opportunities and training in different vocations.
"We are helping ex-combatants to return to society and re-integrate with their families as some of them are breadwinners," he added.
Responding to a query, the IOM Head said there seemed to be no cases of ill-treatment and the programme was being conducted at a satisfactory level.
The IOM had commenced a programme to help those rehabilitated even before the war came to an end in the North, he said.
With regard to funding, Danziger said that the USA and Netherlands had been helping the IOM but it needed more funding.
He said that it as important to ensure that the migrants enjoyed their rights. "The Sri Lankan migrants overseas have contributed a lot to the country's economy," he pointed out.
When questioned about the Sri Lankans who had tried to enter other countries illegally and been deported, he said, "You cannot stop migration but Sri Lanka has upgraded border management and we are working closely with the government."
Courtesy : President's Media Unit