PRESS RELEASE -Media Sec for Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms 16 September 2009

The Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms is working closely with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to launch a $23 million programme for ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Reintegrating ex-LTTE Cadres into Civilian Life.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

The governments of Japan, United Kingdom and United States of America have pledged their support for the programme.

This initiative also involves a strong public/private partnership, with a number of Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s leading companies providing assistance both in cash and in kind. These include Aitken Spence, Brandix, Ceylon Tobacco, Dilmah, Hayleys, John Keells, MAS Holdings, Unilever and Ajitha de Zoysa.

In addition, Raj Rajaratnam, the Sri Lankan-born US-based investment manager with interests in a number of local companies, has also joined this private sector initiative in supporting the Government of Sri Lanka/IOM Programme with a grant of US$1 million. Other members of the Sri Lankan diaspora have also expressed interest in providing assistance.

The programme encompasses education, training and livelihood creation components.

Minister Moragoda stated that this initiative endorses President RajapaksaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s vision of co-operation between the Government of Sri Lanka, the private sector, the diaspora and the international community to build a prosperous future for all Sri Lankans.