Then the sun will shine…

By Tharuka Dissanaike

Last Friday, residents of Bandarawela were treated to a rare performance. Those who bought tickets and attended the show put up by the Youth Rehabilitation and Training Centre in Bindunuwewa, just outside the bustling Bandarawela Town would not have been disappointed. For, this unique entertainment was offered by none other than surrendered LTTE cadre's and a handful of drug addicts and any lack of finesse on the part of the performers would have been drowned in their youthful exuberance.

Having given up a weapon-toting, jungle existence for a semblance of normal life these youth are trained in some vocation at the Centre to enable them to live in society once their year's stint at the camp is over. They are also taught Sinhala so they can communicate with people in the south. While the Centre is not short of funds to feed, clothe and teach the young men, very little is left for extras- like a pilgrimage or a pleasure trip. This is the reason behind the show- the youth wanted money for a pilgrimage to Kataragama and they decided to earn it.

You would never think that six months ago 21-year old Mohan (name changed) was out in the jungles of Batticaloa hunting and being hunted by the army. Especially not when you hear his rendition of a Sinhala song glorifying a dead soldier. In barely accented Sinhala, learnt through the Centre's crash course, the boy sang in a beautifully modulated voice 'Sebalaneni Oba Maruna Nove.........."

The entire show consisted of 13 songs, one drama and one dance. Certain songs like 'Mustafa' sung by Ranjit, 50, the oldest at the Centre were animated by the energetic dance of Sunderan, 22 (names changed). The young man's dance was so coordinated and fast -difficult to believe that he had learnt all those complicated steps just by watching Hindi and Tamil movies on TV.

Not to be out done, drug addicts undergoing rehabilitation were also on stage. Revatha (name changed), 31 from Nugegoda has been a regular heroin user for several years. An organiser of the show Ruwan (name changed), 30 was leaving for Colombo on Monday, promising to be back for the show. His year of rehabilitation from heroin dependency was over and his 26-year-old wife and three young daughters were at the centre to escort him back home.

Danesh (not his real name), 19, surrendered on the battlefield at Mankulam four months ago. Although the boy cannot speak any Sinhala, he sang in that language strange to him, a song of peace. A song, which soldiers had taught him while he was in army custody prior to arriving at the Centre. "There will be a day when the north and south can hold hands. Then the sun will shine and we will be happy,..........".

Five tall gawky youth took the stage next. Guided by Princess de Silva of the Uva Housewives Association, the young men went through a complicated eastern dance sequence, a simpler adaptation of classical Kandyan dancing. We learnt later that one of the dance troupe was actually deaf and he only danced by following the steps of the others.

The Uva Housewives Association led by Manel Wijeweera were the sponsors and organisers of the show. It was the first time a volunteer organisation had been involved in the activities of the centre.

"We met the boys at a recent shramadana. When we asked if they required any help, their reply was that they are provided with everything but they wanted money to go on a pilgrimage," said Clarice Fernando, Secretary of the Association.

Instead of raising the money themselves, the ladies decided that the boys should earn their treat. Thus the show was born. The Association as well as the Centre were surprised and encouraged by the support they received.

The Youth Rehabilitation and Training Centre (YRTC) was established in 1990 to rehabilitate JVP insurgents. Later on the Centre, which operates under the Ministry of Samurdhi, Sports and Youth Affairs, became a rehabilitation point for LTTE cadre who surrender willingly. Somewhere down the line it also became a place where drug addicts, handed in by their kith and kin, were weaned out of their addiction and prepared for life in society.

"Many of the LTTE cadres are in the ages of 19-30," said Capt. Y.K Abeyrathne, a volunteer army officer and the supervisor of the Centre. "They are easier to handle than the JVP cadres who came in the late eighties since they have a high level of discipline and no real political indoctrination.'

The Centre presently has 118 LTTE surrendees and 19 drug addicts. They follow two distinct programmes at the centre but use the same accommodation and facilities. Around 3000 JVPers have been rehabilitated here and some 800 LTTEers have passed through the one-year training.

Those LTTEers who are through with their training are handed over to the parents or next-of-kin. Many do not return to their villages in fear of LTTE reprisals and opt to live in the south making use of the vocational training they have received.

But those like Kamal (not his real name), 21, whose parents cannot be contacted, have to stay on at the Centre until he can find a job and proper lodgings. Kamal joined the LTTE at the age of 11 and surrendered to the army two years ago. After eight years of terrorism, the boy opted for a career in tailoring. After his one year at the Centre he even worked in a barber salon in town.

Kamal believes that his parents and younger brother and sister fled their Mannar home for South India as refugees. The ICRC, which often visits the Centre, has tried to locate his family in vain.

Motor mechanics, carpentry and tailoring are among the vocations taught at the centre. Languages, Sinhala and English, as well as Tamil for those who have not attended school due to the war and a normal school curriculum for those in their younger teens are also taught. "Most cannot read or write in Tamil since they have never attended school or have been taken in by the LTTE at a very young age," Capt. Abeyrathne said. "Many of these children have not seen the south.

They have grown up with the war. They have never seen or spoken to a Sinhalese. Many come from broken families."

While the drug addicts have intense counselling sessions, LTTEers are rehabilitated by a rigid schedule, which gives a lot of time for religious activities. "When they arrive here, they are partly rehabilitated. These children have grown up with the sounds of war. When they come to Colombo, or better still, to Bandarawela, when they interact like friends with the forces personnel, when they are well fed and have small luxuries like TV and a playground, they automatically rehabilitate."

Take the youngest at the Centre. Sanjiv (not his real name) 14, surrendered to the forces at Mankulam, dragging a bullet-severed leg. He arrived at the Bindunuwewa Centre in a cast unable to walk. Four months later he looks well, sans a limp.

Sanjiv told us that his mother was dead and he has not heard of the whereabouts of his father since he left Madakal, Jaffna for the Vanni jungles with the LTTE.

We asked him what he would like to be doing in the future. Sanjiv shyly replied that he has not decided. After all, he is only 14.

At the Centre a normal day begins at 5.30am despite the cold morning. The boys first go about their respective religious activities and at 7.30 there is a meeting where the national flag is unfurled and the anthem sung. A leader is chosen for the day and he gives a short speech, which is translated into Sinhala as well. Half an hour of physical exercise follows after which they clean the compound and the buildings.

The vocational training and counselling follow breakfast. At 4 pm the boys are allowed time for recreation, a time most use for rowdy cricket or football games on the playground or for reading in the library. 6 pm is the day-end meeting where the leader analyses the day. More religious activity followed by dinner and a 10 pm bedtime is strictly enforced.

Families are allowed to visit with boarding facilities provided. Several guards patrol the grounds at night but Capt. Abeyrathne said that no LTTE cadre has yet tried to escape, unlike the drug addicts who often cannot control their craving for another shot.

What is most lacking at the Centre are proper dormitories for the boys. Now they sleep on the ground in a shed constructed of corrugated metal sheets. When rain lashes down the mountain, the entire shed soaks it is hardly built to withstand the cold that comes with wet weather.

Also worrying the Centre's administration is a recent directive by the Ministry to stop taking in drug addicts.

"This is one of the very few places where drug addicts are treated in the country," said M.N.M Thushan, Coordinating Officer.

The Centre also feels that the interaction between the Sinhalese and the rebels is an essential part of rehabilitation for both parties.

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