http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/06/25/sec01.asp

CSD job boon for ex-LTTEers

Rasika SOMARATHNA

* Over 1,800 apply

* Enthusiasm high

Over 1,800 rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres turned up at Kilinochchi on Saturday to join the Civil Security Department (CSD) following the CSD’s call for ex-combatants to join its ranks. The government is planning to recruit a large number of rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres to the CSD. They are slated to take part in development activities in the North. CSD Chief Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris said over1,800 ex-LTTE combatants from the Northern Province turned up to collect applications to join his department. “We distributed over 2,000 applications.

‘They were very enthusiastic about joining the Civil Security Department,” he said.

According to CSD sources, most applicants will be recruited and it will be continued in the future as well.

Sources said the recruitment of ex-combatants to its cadre will be carried out in other Northern districts shortly.

They will be paid salaries according to CSD salary scales. The minimum salary will be not less than Rs 18,000, sources said.

The recruitment process is continuing in the North. The chosen applicants will be offered employment shortly.

Minister C B Ratnayake, MPs Namal Rajapaksa and M Chandrakumar and Northern Province Governor Major General G A Chandrasiri, were present.

The government has launched a number of programmes to find gainful employment for rehabilitated ex-combatants.

The current initiative to recruit them to the CSD is a concept of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The initiative is carried out under the guidance of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. During the last stages of the humanitarian operation, 11,664 former LTTE cadres surrendered to the Security Forces. Most have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.