As many as 400 former female LTTE cadres who gave up guns have taken up new vocations after receiving training in search of new life.
These women cadres, who were rehabilitated at the Veppamkulam centre and at the Punthottam centre in Vavuniya in the north under a special programme launched by the Sri Lanka Army, embarked on a new journey. Three hundred female cadres who were rehabilitated at Veppamkulam and 100 at Punthottam received new jobs. After a successful rehabilitation and a reorientation programme, 400 former LTTE female cadres left to take up jobs at the Tri-Star apparel factory in Alawwa in Sabaragamuwa province.
They began their journey amid the blessings of relatives and well-wishers late last week. Many senior officials were present when the bus carrying the former combatants left the rehabilitation centres. There was bonhomie amongst the women who were all smiles and their efforts towards rehabilitation was hardly suggestive of their militant past.
These ex-combatants had surrendered during the final stage of the humanitarian operation. As many as 15 rehabilitation centres were established to cater to 12,000 LTTE cadres. It has now been possible to close down seven rehabilitation centres, the official website said on Tuesday. Over 2,000 of the estimated 11,000 former LTTE cadres have been so far released from various camps.
As many as 500 former combatants were earlier offered jobs while 530 child soldiers were rehabilitated and entrusted to their parents. As many as 2500 who were disabled in the conflict were handed over to their parents, the website reported.