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Rehab and Rejoice


Rehabilitation of ex-LTTE cadres- The Sri Lankan experience



The pluralistic society of Sri Lanka consisting of predominantly Sinhalese along with Tamils and Muslims has had a harmonious and cordial relationship with each other in the past. However, experiences of the last three decades have pushed the very same people to live amidst the dangerous experiences of a brutal war instigated by the LTTE.



In May, 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka declared victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE). The LTTE terrorists were fighting for a separate country and ended up using the Tamil people as a human shield. The LTTE was and still is a banned terrorist group in most countries. Peace was achieved after a three decade long struggle which had claimed thousands of lives and caused billions of rupees worth destruction.



Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Centers (PARC)



The rehabilitation of ex-LTTE cadres is being carried out successfully. About 11,000 ex-LTTE cadres are already back with their families after going through the rehabilitation programmes conducted by the Army. LTTE cadres who surrendered to the Government during the humanitarian operations have been rehabilitated and successfully re-integrated into society. The primary focus of the rehabilitation and reintegration programme was to equip the former LTTE cadres with alternative means to a meaningful existence.







The inmates of the Rehabilitation Centers are provided with educational and vocational training, sports, meditation sessions, facility to involve in religious activities, health care and even entertainment facilities. They undergo special counseling programmes in order to change their destructive ideology and attitude which they had acquired due to LTTE brainwashing. They also get training to respect the ideas and views of others and be liberal in their approach to things they do not agree with. All beneficiaries undergo extensive programmes that were designed to equip them with the ability to return to normal life in society.



During and immediately after the final phase of the war about 11,000 LTTE cadres surrendered or were arrested by the Security Forces. The government has spent Rs 2.5 billion to rehabilitate ex-LTTE cadres.



A majority of these youth are under the age of 30 and many had been conscripted by the LTTE at a very young age as child soldiers. They had been denied their childhood by the LTTE leadership who paid scant regard for the well being of these innocent children. For them a child was just another pair of hands that would carry a weapon to do their bidding in order to achieve their own selfish and sinister goals. While the leaders indulged in luxury the child soldiers lived in LTTE hellholes deep inside the wanni jungles. Many child soldiers would die without even reaching adulthood, their talents wasted, abilities not recognized, away from their families, unloved and uncared. Nobody dared to raise a voice against this inhumane treatment by the LTTE against children. For the Tamil Diaspora it was just not 'their' child.



But with the end of the humanitarian operations the government was committed in giving back their life to these mis-guided children which had been forcefully taken by the LTTE. Billions of rupees were allocated to house them in special protective accommodation and rehabilitation centers (PARC) where their welfare and safety would be ensured. Special plans were drawn up to rehabilitate and ultimately reintegrate them back into the society. During the rehabilitation process measures were taken to identify the inherent abilities and talents of the beneficiaries and action to provide them with proper training.



Loans



In order to support their new life, the government has initiated many welfare measures for the benefit of the beneficiaries. One such assistance progarmme is the granting of low interest loans to rehabilitated beneficiaries. Loans will be provided to set up self-employment ventures, cottage industries, agricultural projects, workshops or small scale businesses. The beneficiaries can obtain loans up to a maximum of Rs 250,000 at four percent interest repayable over a period of 10 years. This scheme will greatly benefit the beneficiaries who will be able to support their families and also contribute towards the national economy.







Sports



Sport is one such aspect where the beneficiaries showed much talent. Special programmes to recognize the skills of the sports talented beneficiaries were held recently. Talented rehabilitated beneficiaries will be absorbed to National pools through this special selection programmes. According to Sports Ministry sources, 131 beneficiaries who are undergoing rehabilitation will be trained for 12 selected sporting events such as foot ball, athletics, swimming, volleyball, cricket, shooting, badminton, weight lifting, karate, kabadi, chess and carom. This will not only provide equal opportunity to all but also help to up lift national sports and achieve international victories. This will also help to build better understanding and cooperation between the people.







Language Skills



In addition to the professional training programmes the beneficiaries receive Sinhala language training as part of the social integration programme. The course is conducted by the National Language Unit in order to enhanced communication and vocational skills of these youth. This programme will enable them to integrate and work in society anywhere in the island. Tamil and Sinhala language skills have been made mandatory to public servants under the Official Languages Act.



Vocational Training



Vocational training in carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electrical wiring are provided to the beneficiaries by qualified professionals. They are given the option of selecting the course of their choice and according to their performances, they are awarded the National Vocational Qualification Level I, II and III certificates, which are well-recognized locally and internationally. This would maximize their chances of gaining employment both here and abroad. 46 different vocational training courses were made available to the beneficiaries in the rehabilitation programme. Steps have also been taken to recruit a large number of these beneficiaries to the Civil Defence Force.











Education



Another salient feature of the rehabilitation programme is the provision of education facilities. The beneficiaries are assisted to sit for the G C E O/L and A/L examinations. The services of qualified teachers were made available to them. A special 'catch up education' programme was provided in collaboration with the Education Department. Many beneficiaries of who had lost the chance of completing their education have now successfully completed their exams. Child beneficiaries were reunited with their families within one year's time. But 74 returned to Hindu College, Ratmalana to continue the education programmes they had been following. Many beneficiaries got qualified to enter universities.



The reintegration of the rehabilitated beneficiaries back to their society took place only after trained counselors assessed their preparedness to adapt to the society and resume normal lives. Reintegration programmes were conducted at various stages. Only 636 beneficiaries still remain at four rehabilitation centers located at Maramadu, Welikanda, Kandakadu and Poonthottam.



Reunification A lot attention was paid to the reunification of beneficiaries with their families. Married beneficiaries were given the opportunity to re-join their family at special rehabilitation centres called 'Peace Villages'. This enabled many beneficiaries to continue their rehabilitation without causing disruption to their family life. In June 2010, a mass marriage ceremony was held where many beneficiaries got married in the presence of their parents and families. The marriages were conducted in keeping with religious customs and traditions. A special Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Centre (PARC) was established at Kaithady in Jaffna to cater to the rehabilitation of married beneficiaries.



The Government of Sri Lanka has come under much acclaim for its rehabilitation programme. It was evident during the recently concluded 'Defence Seminar- 2012' where many participating foreign delegates praised the earnest efforts of the government in rehabilitating the ex- LTTE cadres. The international community has recognized the value and importance of Sri Lanka's post war efforts. Sri Lanka has a set a classic example for the world to follow. The Tamil Diaspora can also play a productive role in helping their brethren to rebuild their lives other than raising various issues from abroad to destabilize the hard earned peace. They could help their rehabilitated beneficiaries to restart their lives. This is the best opportunity to lend a helping hand to their kin to stand on their own feet.







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