The government has spent Rs. 2.5 bn on the rehabilitation of ex-LTTE cadres since the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009.

Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe yesterday said that in spite of constraints, the government had provided the funds needed for post-conflict rehabilitation process.

Responding to a query, he said that the first year (May 2009 to May 2010) the rehabilitation process had cost Rs. 1.8 bn and about Rs. 700 mn since then.

With the latest release of 150 ex-LTTE cadres, the total number released so far would exceed 8,000 with some 2,000 LTTEmembers, including about 100 women still undergoing rehabilitation.

Major General Ransinghe said that at the beginning of the programme there had been 11,664 personnel at 24 rehabilitation facilities. He said: "We have over 11,000 witnesses who either surrendered or were captured and then released following rehabilitation.

Asked whether ex-LTTE cadres would be given an opportunity to support reconstruction and rehabilitation similar to the projects undertaken by the military, the Major Gen. said that two weeks ago former combatants had helped villagers at an isolated village in the Kilinochchi District. The official expressed confidence that ex-LTTE personnel could play a pivotal role in rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.