Apr 02, Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities Thursday handed over 1,365 former LTTE soldiers who had been rehabilitated by the government, to their parents at a ceremony held at Pambeimadu Army Camp in Vavuniya with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Rajapaksa symbolically handed over three former combatants, Yogeshwaran Aravindan, Hinduraja and Hindur to their parents.
The group of 703 male cadres and 467 female cadres had been forcibly recruited by the LTTE as the war escalated in the North. Among the returnees were 31 who were qualified to enter the university and 164 minors.
They were arrested by the Security Forces during the war and subsequently detained in rehabilitation camps where they were given educational and vocational training to prepare them to enter the society and make a living.
President Rajapaksa also opened a computer centre dedicated for further training of the youth who received computer training during their rehabilitation. Virtusa Corporation donated the computers worth Rs 25 million for the center.
The youth requested the President to take measures to provide more education and self employment opportunities in the war-battered region. The President instructed his officials to take necessary measures immediately to fulfill the rehabilitated cadres' request.
Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Service Risath Bathiyutheen, Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Vavuniya Government Agent Ms. P.S.M. Charles, Northern Commander Major General M. Hathurusinghe and Wanni Commander Major General Kamal Gunaratna along with all Divisional Heads of the Army were also present.