Adding to the Sri Lankan Army's burgeoning plethora of civilian businesses and administrative measures, the Security Forces Commander in Kilinochchi, Major General Udaya Perera, announced that the army has introduced a scholarship programme for children.
The programme, which will start from grade 5 to university entrance level, will be yearly, ranging from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 10,000.
The Defence Ministry's website states that the scholarships are 'paid from funds collected from army personnel on a voluntary basis'.
See here.
Despite previous disturbing reports of the experiences of female Tamil recruits into Sri Lanka's Army, Major Perera stated that the Army was actively seeking to recruit more Tamil women.
He said: "these girls are recruited to the volunteer force. If they are willing they can work for the next fifteen years for the army. They are being paid Rs. 32,000 per month and in addition they will be given 18,000 rupees worth food, shelter and uniforms including medical facilities."
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