Fifty-three former LTTE couples who were forced to take up arms were married yesterday (June 13) in a colorful mass ceremony at a rehabilitation camp in Vavuniya. They have been rehabilitated for nine months.

Among the witnesses for the marriages were Indian film star Vivek Oberoi and MP Namal Rajapaksa.

Some of the couples have already been living together and others have only taken a vow at Hindu temples and exchanged flower garlands, according to Tamil tradition. The couples received 25,000 and they will be provided with separate tents in the camp. Few will be going on honeymoon in the near future.

Government ministers attended Sunday's ceremony, signing the marriage certificates and giving gifts to the couples.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe stated at the ceremony that the government will not take legal action against the subversive acts of the former LTTE cadres who are undergoing rehabilitation.