The three ex-LTTErs -- Kanakasuntharam Rajeewan, Thayabaran Thaventhiran and Sellamuttu Suresh Kumar -- are among 135 who are undergoing athletics training at the rehabilitation centres.

They received shooting rifles from Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage recently at the ministry.

“The Ministry of Sports hopes they can represent Sri Lanka at the South Asian Games (SAG) in New Delhi next year. Ex-LTTE members who have shown exceptional skill, on par with national level athletes have been selected for national squads,” a Sport Ministry spokesman said.

“These athletes were chosen at talent identification camps held for former LTTE members undergoing rehabilitation,” he added.

Nearly 11,000 LTTErs who had surrendered to government troops during the final battle in May 2009 were put through the process of rehabilitation where they were given life skills and English language training.