Sri Lanka sets an example in rehabilitating ex-terrorists, President says

Sri Lanka has set an example to the world in rehabilitating and reintegrating former LTTE terrorists, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa said presiding over a meeting yesterday to review the progress of prison reforms and future plans.


At the progress review meeting of the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry held Tuesday (22) at the Temple Trees, the President pointed out that nearly 5,800 out of the 11,700 former combatants have been reintegrated into the society after the conclusion of their rehabilitation process.


Discussing the type of vocational training given to ex-LTTE cadres, President Rajapaksa said many ex-combatants have successfully been reintegrated into civilian life and they are using the vocational training received at rehabilitation centers to uplift their livelihoods.
The President, discussing the use of prisoners in community service, pointed out that the measure is better for the economic progress of the country than filling prisons with inmates. He instructed the correction officials to use prisoners incarcerated for minor offences in unpaid public service under the supervision of probation officers.
President Rajapaksa, stressing that the government has given special attention to rehabilitating prisoners, underlined the need to separate the juveniles under 16 years from adult inmates.
He said the government is also taking steps to addressing the problems faced by prison authorities and instructed the relevant authorities to upgrade prisons with modern facilities.
Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms A. Dissanayake and Inspector General of Police IGP Mahinda Balasuriya were also present.