BUREAU OF REHABILITATION

Vision

To create an Intelligent, Healthy and a disciplined future generation.

Mission

To build up future Sri Lankan society with Intelligent, Healthy, Strong and Disciplined Individuals

Introduction

At the end of the humanitarian operation in 2009, a considerable number of ex-combatants surrendered to the government forces. After that, then government decided to rehabilitate them and re-integrate them into society as disciplined, law-abiding and useful members of society. The rehabilitation of ex-combatants was entrusted to the Bureau of Rehabilitation and accordingly, 12,196 ex-combatants were rehabilitated and re-integrated to the society. On completion of rehabilitating ex-combatants, the rehabilitation of drug addicts was entrusted to the Bureau of Rehabilitation in 2013. There are three rehabilitation centers under the Bureau and they are located at under mentioned locations:

Navodawa Treatment Centre at Kandakadu.
Navodawa Tertiary & Vocational Literacy Training Centre at Senapura.
Saranga Centre at Vavuniya.

The duration of the rehabilitation programme is six months and the inmates are provided with all basic requirements during their stay at the rehabilitation centers. Further, the rehabilitees go through number of mental health programmes, spiritual development programmes, various therapies, educational programmes, IT, Leadership and personality development programmes, Music, Sports and a series of Vocational training programmes as per a specially designed syllabus and a treatment plan. In addition to the above mentioned programmes, several other programmes are available for the inmates under the theme of “beyond rehabilitation”, in order to transform the drug addicts into useful members of the society.

There are 13 branch offices of the Bureau of Rehabilitation island-wide to assist the reintegrated inmates to lead a peaceful life after their rehabilitation period. Those branch offices are known as “Socio-Economic and Welfare Coordinating Offices for Rehabilitated Beneficiaries” (SEWCORB)The powers, and functions of the Bureau of Rehabilitation

The powers, and functions of the Bureau of Rehabilitation in terms of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Act, No. 2 of 2023 are as follows.

provide treatment and rehabilitation to drug dependant persons, who in terms of the Drug Dependant Persons (Treatment and rehabilitation) Act, No. 54 of 2007 request treatment and rehabilitation or are required by such law to be provided with treatment and rehabilitation;
provide rehabilitation to any person who in terms of a relevant law, requests rehabilitation or is required by such law to be provided with rehabilitation;
enhance the employability of persons undergoing treatments and rehabilitation, minimizing the risk of socio-economic marginalization;
engage in an organized manner, the potentials of persons who are undergoing treatments and rehabilitation to use them productively to enhance the economy;
advice the Minister with regard to programmes for rehabilitation, treatment and aftercare having regard to the basic norms of Human Rights;
review, monitor and provide any other assistance to persons who have re-integrated into the society after treatments and rehabilitation;
receive grants, gifts or donations in cash or kind: Provided however, the Bureau shall obtain the prior written approval of the Department of External Resources of the Ministry of the Minister assigned the subject of Finance, in respect of all foreign grants, gifts or donations made to the Bureau;
open and maintain any account with any bank as it may think appropriate and such account shall be operated in accordance with prevailing applicable written laws;
manage, control, administer and operate the Fund of the Bureau;
invest such amount of money belonging to the Bureau as are not immediately required for the purposes of this Act;
acquire, hold, take or give on lease or hire, mortgage, pledge, sell or otherwise dispose of any movable or immovable property;
enter into and perform either directly or indirectly through any officer or agent of the Bureau, all such contracts or agreements as may be necessary, for the exercise of the powers and the carrying out of its functions;
make rules in respect of the administration of the affairs of the Bureau;
establish and maintain Centers for Rehabilitation: Provided however, the centers established for the rehabilitation of drug dependant persons to be established and maintained under the direction of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board;
conduct training programmes relating to rehabilitation; and
do all such other acts which may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objective of this Act or the exercise of the powers assigned to the Bureau under this Act.Aims and Objectives of the Bureau of Rehabilitation

Aims of the Bureau of Rehabilitation

To assist the rehabilitees to distance themselves from the usage of drugs and direct them into a behavioural change through psychological methods.
To prevent them from being addicted to dangerous drugs through the transformation of their living ambience and environment.
To impart them knowledge in vocational exposure so that they can make themselves available for empolyment opportunities after reintegrating into society.
Strengthening of the family bonds, making awareness on its importance and reciprocal responsibilities and uplifitment of the economic, social and welfare aspects of upkeeping the family unit.

Objectives

The objective of the Bureau is to rehabilitate drug dependant persons or any other person as may be identified by law as a person who requires rehabilitation and which may include treatment and adoption of various therapies in order to ensure effective reintegration and reconciliation, through developing socio-economic standards

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