Livelihood project loans for ex-combatants

by Ranil Wijayapala

Nearly 4,700 applications from rehabilitated ex-combatants are now being processed to provide loans to them to start livelihood projects. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has allocated Rs. 525 million to assist the rehabilitated cadres and those affected by terrorism, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Major General Jagath Wijetilleke told the Sunday Observer.

Of the 11,632 ex-combatants nearly 40 percent benefited from the loans provided during the first and second stage which covered nearly one-third of the ex-combatants who had undergone rehabilitation.

The Commissioner General said the loans will be provided through the nearest Bank of Ceylon branch when the applications are received by the Government Agent through Grama Niladharis and Divisional Secretaries. The applicants are entitled to receive a maximum loan of Rs.250,000 after submitting a project proposal elaborating on the project they wish to launch as their livelihood based on their skills and the vocational training they had received during rehabilitation.

“The loans will be given to them this year after their applications are processed by the Government Agents and then sent to the Rehabilitation Authority under the Prisons Reforms and Rehabilitation.

The payment will be released through a Bank”, he said.

He said the Social Services Department is also providing Rs. 3,000 per month for those maimed and Rs. 25,000 as livelihood assistance from the funds allocated by the President to assist rehabilitated ex-combatants and those affected due to terrorism.