931 ex-LTTE cadres to be reunited soon

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

The rehabilitation authorities hope to implement a comprehensive post monitoring system to help former ex-LTTE cadres who were reintegrated into the mainstream society, newly appointed Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brig. Dharshana Hettiarachchi said.

He told the Sunday Observer that there were only 931 ex-LTTE cadres still undergoing rehabilitation and they would be reunited with their families before the end of this year. “Under the new system the authorities will not only look into their activities but also into their problems. We have reports in some areas that their own people are still reluctant to welcome them into society”, he said.

According to Brig Hettiarachchi, the authority plans to conduct several awareness programs to educate the public to have a good rapport with them.

“We are confident that they are fully rehabilitated and we want their own people to recognise them as normal civilians as most of them became terrorists unwillingly, he said.

He said the rehabilitated cadres who were released were given vocational training and the Rehabilitation Authority would explore the possibility of providing them financial assistance to launch self-employment projects.

“We would ensure that they are safe in society. As they are now on the correct path we want to give them support to stand on their own”, he said.

Brig. Hettiarachchi was the GOC of the 22 Division in Trincomalee.

According to the Rehabilitation Ministry, of the 11,700 ex-LTTE cadres who had surrendered, 10,375 have been reunited with their families after the completion of the rehabilitation process. Over Rs.750 million has been allocated for rehabilitation this year.

They have been given training in masonary skills, handicrafts and paintings as well as vocational, language and communication training to improve their skills and educational knowledge.This year 78 rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres were reintegrated into society.