The government has opened up doors for rehabilitated LTTE combatants to join the police service if they have fulfilled necessary educational qualifications along with other requirements, officials said yesterday.

During the last phase of war, around 11,000 combatants surrendered to the military. The government has already rehabilitated 10,000 of them to be reintegrated into society.

Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Maj. Gen. Chandana Rajaguru told the Daily Mirror that the chance is open for them to join the police service if they want.

“The Police Department has opened up the opportunity for them. It is a matter between the Department and those members reintegrated into society.  We, as the rehabilitation authorities, have no involvement in the matter,” he said.

He said that 1,000 ex combatants are still undergoing rehabilitation under him at different centres.

“Most of them have been referred for rehabilitation by court,” he said. 

Asked for comment, Police Media Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana confirmed that the opportunity had been made available for rehabilitated combatants to join police.

“Now, they are members reintegrated into society. We cannot discriminate them. They are free to apply to join the police service if they have required educational qualifies.  Also, they should not have faced criminal charges,” he said. 

However, he said that no such recruitment had been made at the moment. (Kelum Bandara)