Rehabilitation started immediately:

Reintegrating fighter cadres into society, no easy task:

Rising like the phoenix from the ashes

Peaceful co-existence:

Historical relationship:

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Infrastructure development and resettlement are cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming efforts yet changing the mindset of a fighter cadre and reintegrating him/her to society would be the hardest. Rehabilitation of those who fought for the terrorist organisation is obviously a crucial part in the process of rising from the debris.

When nearly 11,000 ex-LTTE cadres surrendered to the Army after May 19, 2009, with support from the leader of the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the rehabilitation process started immediately with a solid administrative structure.

At the initial stages 594 boys and girls between 12 and 18 were among the surrendees. Of the adult youth, 3,658 were married and mostly men. Though the majority were Hindus, there were 814 Christians, three Muslims and six Buddhists. The intention was to teach them to respect people and live peacefully with the community.

The rehabilitation process comprised psychological assistance, education, sports, and spiritual, religious and cultural empowerment.

Following a recommendation by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), a special committee was appointed to study the cases of detained LTTE suspects and expedite legal action where necessary, the National Plan of Action for the Implementation of LLRC Recommendations said in a statement.

There was a time, where our previous generations or even before that, young children from the South used to stay with families in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochcchi and Vavuniya.

LTTE cadres returning after rehabilitation

This helped build a close understanding between communities, leading to the peaceful co-existence of all communities. Similarly, Tamil youth stayed with Sinhala families. This way, both enjoyed each other's culture, food, traditions and even their feelings.

This helped strengthen the historical relationship between the two communities. Unfortunately, this good relationship came to a standstill because of LTTE terrorists and it was so unfortunate that these youth who were born after the 1980s have never experienced this interaction with the Sinhala community. The main intention of arranging these trips was to revamp that interaction between them. On the other hand, they also can see the developments taking place in the South.

Changing

Over 90 percent of the ex-LTTE cadre didn't have the opportunity to interact with those from the South. All their lives they believed the wrong picture which was painted by the LTTE.

They had been brainwashed by the LTTE about the Sinhalese and the Security Forces. The LTTE had propagated myths about Sinhalese people being revengeful, as those who hated Tamils and were grabbing their lands.

The misled youth were told that the Sinhalese wanted to chase the Tamils from the North, to make Sinhala colonies there.

They were motivated to fight against the Sinhalese and the Security Forces.

During the rehabilitation period of these youth focus was on many aspects; giving them facilities for meditation, sports, educational and vocational training topped the list. Ex-combatants were immediately separated from the rest of the displaced persons and were transferred to makeshift centres for their own security until proper Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Centres (PARCs) were established. Twenty-four PARCs were developed at the initial stages and functioned separately for children, women and men.

Consent of these surrendered ex-combatants was taken to follow the rehabilitation program - and all had to be documented. A dedicated Competent Authority was appointed to attend to all matters relating to the rehabilitation of ex-combatants.

Under the direction of President Rajapaksa, experts in the field set goals within a conceptualised framework for the rehabilitation process with coordinated and integrated efforts towards a comprehensive action with clear directions and focus. Policies, the National Action Plan and legal framework to facilitate the set goals were soon established, ensuring that this process was not ad hoc.

Special institutions were created to implement these policies under which the Bureau of the Commissioner General for Rehabilitation was set up under the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms to take the lead role together with other institutions and line ministries.

All Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Centres were provided with sound security, and infrastructure facilities, giving consideration to hygiene, food and nutrition, health and psycho-social support including providing opportunities to make contacts with their family and friends and access to all UN agencies, therefore maintaining transparency.

At the rehabilitation centres they were no more ex-combatants, but rehabilitation beneficiaries; no more child soldiers, but children of Sri Lanka.

While educating them on theoretical aspects, they will be motivated to mingle with society, to be kind to people and to respect and accommodate ideas of other people. Special counselling programs were held for them with a view to changing their traumatised mindset which they had acquired due to being brainwashed by the LTTE.

Support

A mechanism was designed to monitor the progress of those who have reintegrated into society. Through this the Government restored their livelihood and explore employment opportunities.

This was to ensure that once they are back in their villages they lead normal lives as useful citizens and make their contribution towards the development of the country.

The progress and welfare of those who have already been reintegrated are constantly being monitored by the Socio Economic Welfare Coordinating Office for Rehabilitated Beneficiaries, established at the District Secretariat offices in all districts in the Northern and Eastern provinces. The primary responsibility of this office is to ensure the successful and sustainable socio-economic reintegration of all rehabilitated ex-combatants and their families in the respective districts by coordinating with all government and corporate sector institutions, INGOs, NGOs and the community. These youth are given vocational training during the rehabilitation process. They were given the option to select those who were interested.

According to their performances, they are awarded the National Vocational Qualification Level I, II and III certificates, which are well-recognised locally and internationally. Even if they want to find jobs abroad, they will easily get employment opportunities as they have completed these courses.

We have given maximum opportunities to enhance their capabilities and to find suitable jobs to suit their talent through the vocational training they received under the rehabilitation process.

After completing the government-sponsored rehabilitation program, ex-combatants become eligible to receive loans up to Rs. 250,000 at a minimal interest rate to start livelihood programs.

So far, 1,773 rehabilitated ex-combatants have received this loan and many more applications are being evaluated, the Commissioner General said. In addition to the loan facility, the Bureau is also exploring ways to provide the rehabilitated individuals with employment opportunities abroad.

It was during the rehabilitation process that these men and women rediscovered the beautiful youth that was hidden inside them. Today, almost all have completed their vocational training course. After graduating, they had their free choice to select their life destination as productive and useful citizens to the country who would do their part for the national development of the country.