Another batch of 552 former LTTE cadres, who had completed their term of rehabilitation were reintegrated into the society yesterday.

They were released at a function presided over by the Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Chandrasiri Gajadeera at Punthottam Tamil Vidyalaya in Vavuniya yesterday.

The remaining 2,950 youths would be successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated into civil society before the end of this year, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe said.

Maj. Gen. Ranasinghe said the majority of the 552 youth being re-integrated into society were between the ages of 20 and 35. There were six women among them.

He said: "We have been able to train and reintegrate 7,968 former LTTE cadres. We are providing all the youth with skills, livelihood training so that they may commence a vocation of their choice once re-integrated into society. We have negotiated with the State banks to provide each youth a sum of Rupees 100,000 to 150,000 to commence their livelihoods.

"Similarly, we pay these youths frequent visits, speak to them and see whether they have any problems and monitor them until such time we are very confident that they can stand on their own feet and that we do not need to care for their welfare anymore," he said.