Rs. 100,000 each to 15 ex-combatants to start self-employment

Unprecedented in Sri Lanka, and perhaps in the world too for that matter, the Sri Lanka Army, in a magnanimous gesture of goodwill, brotherhood and compassion, lent its hand of friendship to 15 ex-LTTE combatants, just freed from jail on a Presidential pardon and offered each of them with Rs. 100,000 cash for initiation of their own self-employment openings and continuation of their peaceful lives as law-abiding citizens of the country in harmony with all ethnicities in the country.

Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva, who was on a tour to the North to assess the COVID-19 transmission impact as Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), was the Chief Guest at the ceremony.

The initiative was made possible by Vamadevan Thyagendran, a well-known social activist and a philanthropist who enthusiastically volunteered to support the project in close coordination with Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Commander, Security Forces – Jaffna. District Secretary for Jaffna Kanapathi Pillai Maheshan was also among the invitees to the occasion.

After distribution of those financial incentives among those rehabilitated former combatants, General Silva spoke to them and explained them the reasons that attributed to this precious project of exceptional nature. 

“You, having joined one of the world’s most ruthless terror outfits many moons ago willingly or through conscription, were engaged in a killing spree, claiming hundreds of innocent lives and committing atrocities, such as bomb blasts, mass massacres, destruction of public property, murder of both Sinhala and your own Tamil leaders and intellectuals etc., since you were misled by the megalomaniac Prabhakaran and his so called ‘freedom fighters’. Now, you know well the gravity of those dastardly criminal acts, vanity of bloodbaths and associated violent history, for which you were sentenced. Although some of you would have fired at our soldiers of the Army too during your terror drive, depriving them of their legs and limbs, we harbour no malice towards you.”

“Therefore, it is your turn now, after this exceptional Presidential pardon, to show the world that you have shunned violence and are ready to lead peaceful lives as law-abiding and respected citizens of this country as we all are human beings, nurtured in valuable ethos of religions and cultures. 

“We treat you as our own brothers and seriously want to give our maximum support for your rehabilitated livelihoods and progress by way of constructing houses for you in future,” General Silva remarked.

General Silva also expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to the sole sponsor of the project, and presented a special memento to Vamadevan Thyagendran, and took time off to freely share a few thoughts with those beneficiaries on their future plans, income-generating projects and well-being of their families, etc. 

Similarly, all beneficiaries took a keen interest in talking to the Commander of the Army after culmination of the simple event that adhered to strict health guidelines and safety measures.

Major General Deepal Pussella – General Officer Commanding 51 Division, Major General Haren Peiris – General Officer Commanding 52 Division, Major General Mahinda Jayawardena – General Officer Commanding 55 Division, Brigade Commanders and a few Senior Officers of Tri Forces and Other Ranks attended the distribution program.