Talking to a gathering at Vavuniya Cultuaral Centre where four hundred and eighty three rehabilitated former members of LTTE were released, he said the funds are set apart to improve knowledge, skills and to provide education facilities.

There are another four thousand and seven hundred former LTTE members in custody.

Twelve thousand LTTE cadres surrendered to authorities during the last phase of the war.

Minister Gajadheera told the rehabilitated members that the knowledge and skills they have got are weapons of development and not weapons of destruction.

"At a time when such positive change is taking place, certain Tamil leaders specially those living abroad have begun to make harmful comments based on the report of the panel appointed by UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon", he said.