Despite the re-integration of ex-LTTE combatants who surrendered to the military nearing completion, the government has decided to keep four remaining rehabilitation centres for a further period for the rehabilitation of cadres being referred for rehabilitation by courts, officials said yesterday.

Of the 11,000 ex-combatants who surrendered to the military during the last phase of the war, only some 400 remain to be reunited with their families.

However, Rehabilitation Ministry Secretary A. Dissanayake told the Daily Mirror that LTTE cadres who were indicted in court were being referred for rehabilitation when charges against them had not been proven.

“This happens on a regular basis. Then, we have to rehabilitate them. Therefore, we have decided to keep these four rehabilitation centres in Vavuniya and Polonnaruwa open further.  From time to time, we receive ex-combatants for rehabilitation. They are sometimes referred for rehabilitation for over a period of one year,” he said.

Mr. Dissanayake said ex-LTTE cadres who were reunited with their families were well looked after now.

“We have arranged bank loan facilities for them to start various self-employment projects. Some of them have come up in life now through such programmes,” he said.

Of the remaining 400 cadres who surrendered to the military, 47 will be released by the end of this month, while another batch of 300 will be released next month. (Kelum Bandara)