Vocational Training for Ex-LTTE Combatants — News Item in the Nation, 25 March 2012
The army recently launched a crab farming project in the North that provided job opportunities for a few of the former ex-combatants. The government has ensured that former combatants or beneficiaries, who have been reintegrated back into the society, are provided with job opportunities that would keep them occupied.
The government has focussed on the issue so that the youth do not idle, lest they resort to violence to earn a living. The beneficiaries have been provided jobs in several sectors and assistance have been provided to ensure they are not left stranded after reintegration. The Army too has been working towards this aspect and has provided ample opportunities to the beneficiaries.
In another effort to uplift the living standard of reintegrated former combatants and their close relatives, various government and civil institutes have come forward to assist the Headquarters Security Forces – Jaffna (SF-J) by way of providing financial assistance, donations and giving vocational training to ex-combatants which enable them to engage in self-employments.
Administrative authorities of Dreamron Lanka (Pvt) Ltd of Kohuwala, at the request of Commander Security Forces – Jaffna (SF-J) Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, recently sent a team of hair dressing and beauty culture experts to Jaffna to conduct a five-day training programme for ex-LTTE members in the peninsula. The programme was conducted by five representatives of the Dreamron Lanka (Pvt) Ltd from February 16 to 20 at the Civil Affairs and Public Relations Office, Jaffna.
Thirty-three ex-combatants and twenty-two other civilians followed the course successfully and enthusiastically, and a valuable certificate was awarded to them during a grand function held at the BMICH recently. Commander SF-J Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe attended this Award ceremony as the Guest of Honour. Managing Director Dr. Priyanka Perera, General Manager Chathura Nishantha Perera, Manager Deepal Nelson and the senior management of the Dreamron Lanka (Pvt) Ltd were present at the ceremony. Commander SF-J extended his profuse thanks to Dreamron Administration for their cooperation extended to the Army in its process of helping ex-combatants through such community work.
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“Fashion show by ex-LTTE women highlight of today’s release” — Franklin R. Satyapalan in The Island, 29 March 2012
With the re-integration of 384 ex-LTTE combatants, who had been rehabilitated, into civil society as useful citizens who can contribute towards developing their motherland into the wonder of Asia today, the government had successfully re-integrated into civil society 10,490 ex- LTTE combatants, including 2,170 females since the country was liberated from terrorism in May 2009, said Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier Dinesh Hettiarachchi.
He said that the highlight of today’s release of 384 ex-LTTE combatants to their kith and kin by the Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Chandrasiri Gajadheera, at the Ramakrishna Hall in Wellawatte at 4.00 p.m. would be the fashion show by the ex-LTTE female combatants.
Meanwhile, Minister Gajadheera yesterday distributed certificates among the 105 Ex-LTTE combatants who had successfully followed a training course in masonry sponsored by HOLCIM Lanka Ltd.
Is this the best the SL Government can do? Trying to teach the people of Jaffna how to catch crabs is like taking coals to Newcastle. Nor do the people there need beautifying with hairdressing, manicures, cosmetic embellishment and the like. Try ands do something better like trade apprenticeships, scholarships to universities, jobs in local and central government, free access to apply for commercial jobs, farming subsidies to purchase tools and machinery.