http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/353-sri-lanka-releases-hundreds-of-rehabilitated-tiger-fighters

Sri Lanka released another batch of 1,800 rehabilitated LTTE fighters on Friday after having rehabilitated them with skills development.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presided over the ceremony to release former LTTE ers, who have gone through job and language training before being released from government custody. During the last moment of the fight with LTTE, the Sri Lankan government troops captured over 11,000 combatants inclusive of child soldiers. So far over 8000 ex-combatants have been reintegrated into the society by the government.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking on the occasion said that former LTTE combatants who were rehabilitated by the government would be integrated into the development process of the country.

The ceremony was organized by the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry. He added that the government is responsible to ensure a better future for rehabilitated ex-LTTEers while obtaining their talents and skills for the development of the country.

These ex-LTTEers underwent a two year rehabilitation programme at 24 rehabilitation centres in the North and the East. The reintegration event was held under the theme “Ekvenu Sema Nagamu Rata” (Lets get together and uplift the country) with the participation of President Rajapaksa, ministers, foreign dignitaries including ambassadors and High Commissioners.

During the rehabilitation programme, rehabilitated beneficiaries had undergone various life skill development courses which will be a livelihood for them once they enter society. At the end of the event, these 1,800 rehabilitated beneficiaries were handed over to their parents.

Addressing the beneficiaries of the rehabilitation programme, President Rajapaksa said that these youths are an asset which has to be made best use of, for the development of the country. The government has succeeded in rehabilitating the majority of former LTTE cadres and they have already been reintegrated into society. A few more former LTTE cadres are yet to be integrated into society, President Rajapaksa said.-sdv