Bandara VIPULASENA and Suraj A Bandara-Courtesy Daily News

Over 500 former LTTEers who successfully completed their rehabilitation program at the Vavuniya rehabilitation centre were handed over to their parents yesterday.

The ex-LTTE cadres were released at a function held with the participation of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry Secretary A Dissanayake, Rehabilitation Commissioner Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe and actress Anoja Weerasingha at the Cultural Centre, Vavuniya.

A dance item presented by former LTTEers. Picture by Bandara Vipulasena

The ex-combatants were rehabilitated with vocational training at rehabilitation centres to prepare them to earn a living.

They were also provided industrial training in various fields including computer literacy, welding, handicraft, fabric industry and beauty culture.

Parents were surprised to see their childrenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s skills and the bridal pageant held at the ceremony was an eye catching event.

Former LTTE cadre Ananda Kumara Chitra of Oddusudan presenting the vote of thanks said she was forcibly recruited to the organization.

At this function 198 males and 200 females were released. The government plans to release another 2,000 rehabilitated former LTTE cadres next month.

Over 11,000 ex-LTTE cadres surrendered to the security forces during the final stages of the war and they were being rehabilitated at centers in Vavuniya.

Vanni Commander Major General Kamal Gunaratna, Vavuniya Divisional Secretary JSP Charles and Vavuniya Rehabilitation Coordinator Colonel Manjula Munasingha also participated.