Abstract

This chapter, which is based on interviews with those identified as former LTTE combatants, their families and lawyers representing persons detained under national security laws, aims to map the violations these persons experienced from the point of arrest or surrender to their release from government-run rehabilitation centres and their post-release status. The chapter begins by setting out the national security framework, particularly the laws relating to those categorised as former combatants, to identify the provisions as well as legislative gaps that enabled the violation of rights of persons termed as surrendees by the law. It thereafter focuses on the rehabilitation process, and concludes with a description of the post-release context, including how the context itself led to further violation of the rights of the rehabilitees.