July 02, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government is to take measures to recruit another 5,000 former LTTE combatants to the country's Civil Defense Force.

Director General of the Civil Defense Department Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris has said that steps will be taken to recruit 5,000 rehabilitated former LTTE cadres to the Department.

The government aims to utilize the service of the former LTTE members who have received vocational training in development activities.

They will also be used for the agriculture activities to be carried out in 3,000 acres in the Mullativu and Kilinochchi areas in the future.

Upon joining the Civil Defence Department each former LTTE cadre will be paid a monthly wage of 18,000 rupees.

The government earlier recruited 1,500 former cadres, 300 each from the five districts in the Northern Province.

Brigadier Peiris also has said that those LTTE cadres are now on active duty.