169 ex-Tigers to enter varsities
by Mohammed NAALIR reporting from Oyamaduwa 'Deyata
Kirula'
Moves are under way to send 169 ex-LTTE combatants who are being
trained in rehabilitation Centres to Universities, Rehabilitation and
Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera said.
The Minister said 336 inmates of the 634 who sat the GCE (A/L)
examination have passed and 132 out of 142 who sat the GCE (O/L)
examination succeeded.
According to the Minister vocational, technical and performing arts
training have been provided at the rehabilitation centres. Minister
Gajadeera said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has allocated Rs. 200 million
for higher education.
The Minister said that the Government will provide all assistance to
improve their living and educational standards.
He was speaking after releasing 42 ex-LTTE combatants to their
families at a ceremony at 'Deyata Kirula' in Oyamaduwa, Anuradhapura.
Just as much as they are entertaining you staging dance items and
singing Tamil and Sinhala songs, are now friends of peace, he said.
Now society has seen the ability of these youth which had been
limited to weapons and bunkers before the elimination of the LTTE.
Our President's advice is to hand over these youth back to society as
productive resources to national development.
The Minister said that this was the 34th release of rehabilitated
ex-LTTE cadres.
The Minister said that he was happy when he saw these young men and
women playing guitars and musical instruments who held arms at one time.
The Minister advised the youth that some people may try to spoil you.
You should not leave room for such people, the Minister said.
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