UK announces Rs. 90 m to rehab ex-combatants

Deputy British High Commissioner, Mark Gooding, announced yesterday that the UK would be contributing a total of £500,000 (approximately Rs.90 million) towards the reintegration of rehabilitated ex-combatants in the North.

The funding, which comes from the UK’s Conflict Pool, will be utilised for a programme implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as part of the Government’s rehabilitation and reintegration process.

Gooding made this announcement on the first day of an official visit to Jaffna and Trincomalee, which commenced on Monday, 13 June, 2011.

 As part of his visit, he visited a resettled community in Kollankalladdy in the Thellipalai division, a group of reintegrated ex-combatants and the Thellipalai Rehabilitation Centre. His other meetings included those with the SF Commander, Maj. Gen. Mahinda Hathurusinghe and representatives of political parties.

Commenting on his visit, the British Deputy High Commissioner said: “I am delighted to visit Jaffna and Trincomalee — two very beautiful and historic locations in Sri Lanka that are now recovering from many years of war. I welcome the efforts to re-build the communities in these areas, including through re-establishing livelihoods, clearing mines and resettling the displaced. The UK will continue to support this work. I am delighted to announce a new commitment of £500,000 of funding for reintegration of former combatants. This funding will be channelled through IOM in line with the Government’s reintegration programme. The UK also recently announced a further GBP 3,000,000 for de-mining in conflict affected areas.”