525 rehabilitated former LTTE combatants, most of them for the first time in their lives, travelled down to the south on a five-day tour on Thursday (8) as the final phase of their rehabilitation process.
The tour, organized by Ministry of Rehabilitation under the theme, ‘Thal Ruppawen - Pol Ruppawata’ (from palmyrah groves to coconut groves) began from Omanthai railway station, aboard a special train to reach Colombo-Fort early Thursday (8) morning.
The tour as part of the reintegration process upon the completion of the two-year long rehabilitation programme of those hardcore ex-LTTE combatants, conducted by office of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, will cover many places of interest in the south and they are expected participate in several goodwill cricket and football matches with youngsters in the south. Of them, 25 are female rehabilitees who have surrendered to the Army.
The start of the journey on ‘Rajarata Rejina’ express train was witnessed by Major General A.K.S Perera, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni and a host of senior officers.
The group of rehabilitees after their train journey up to Kalutara South will proceed in buses and attend several receptions organized in specific destinations. Those rehabilitees are expected to visit Galle, Matara, Kataragama, Embilipitiya, Ratnapura and places of other tourist attractions in Colombo and elsewhere.
Following quotes appeared in Friday (9) issue of English newspaper, ‘Daily Mirror’ have been attributed to those rehabilitees;
One of those who had been with the LTTE for ten years said they were happy to visit the southern parts of the country. “Most of those in the rehabilitation camp have not been to other parts of the country or even stepped on a train. Many of them have not spoken to a Sinhalese, apart from Army officials in the camp,” ex-LTTE cadre Adhrani Newton said.
He said he followed a counselling course at the rehabilitation camp after which he was selected to study for a Diploma, which he will complete in about a month and added that he also took part in a 12-day rehabilitation programme in Colombo.
“After I finish the rehabilitation programme I will start working. My ambition is to become a counselor,” he said.
The tour, organized by Ministry of Rehabilitation under the theme, ‘Thal Ruppawen - Pol Ruppawata’ (from palmyrah groves to coconut groves) began from Omanthai railway station, aboard a special train to reach Colombo-Fort early Thursday (8) morning.
The tour as part of the reintegration process upon the completion of the two-year long rehabilitation programme of those hardcore ex-LTTE combatants, conducted by office of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, will cover many places of interest in the south and they are expected participate in several goodwill cricket and football matches with youngsters in the south. Of them, 25 are female rehabilitees who have surrendered to the Army.
The start of the journey on ‘Rajarata Rejina’ express train was witnessed by Major General A.K.S Perera, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni and a host of senior officers.
The group of rehabilitees after their train journey up to Kalutara South will proceed in buses and attend several receptions organized in specific destinations. Those rehabilitees are expected to visit Galle, Matara, Kataragama, Embilipitiya, Ratnapura and places of other tourist attractions in Colombo and elsewhere.
Following quotes appeared in Friday (9) issue of English newspaper, ‘Daily Mirror’ have been attributed to those rehabilitees;
One of those who had been with the LTTE for ten years said they were happy to visit the southern parts of the country. “Most of those in the rehabilitation camp have not been to other parts of the country or even stepped on a train. Many of them have not spoken to a Sinhalese, apart from Army officials in the camp,” ex-LTTE cadre Adhrani Newton said.
He said he followed a counselling course at the rehabilitation camp after which he was selected to study for a Diploma, which he will complete in about a month and added that he also took part in a 12-day rehabilitation programme in Colombo.
“After I finish the rehabilitation programme I will start working. My ambition is to become a counselor,” he said.
“We want to thank the authorities for organizing this trip. We did not think we will have the opportunity to visit the south,” Selvarasa Selvadeevan, another former LTTEer told those who had gathered around him.
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