At least 44 youths who sought protection with the Human Rights Commission surrendered to the Security Forces yesterday (February 26), defence sources said.

Those surrendees after formal registration at the Police are to be absorbed into a rehabilitation programme commencing today (February 27). They have sought the rehabilitation in writing, according to the military sources.

During January 2007- February 2008, a total of three hundred and seventeen men and women, some of who claimed themselves to be LTTE cadres have turned up at the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in Jaffna and wanted to seek protection saying that they were very much harassed, disgusted with the LTTE or exposed to LTTE conscription attempts.

The Commission on a court directive ordered the Police to detain them in a special wing inside the Jaffna prison for protection until their inquiries and Police investigations were over. During this period 291 males and 26 females surrendered and were detained by the Commission. Some of those detainees on their own accord later left the prison protection and went away.

Authorities from the Ministry of Rehabilitation after receiving those 44 LTTE men/supporters are expected to send them for rehabilitation in Jaffna, providing all necessary provisions to them.