More deserters report during the General Amnesty

Saturday, 31 December 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A large number of tri-forces personnel who are considered Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) have reported to their respective services to get their legal discharge during this month.

A one-month long General Amnesty period was announced by the Ministry of Defence beginning from 1 December for tri-forces deserters to get their legal discharge.

As of 26 December, seven officers and 4658 other ranks of the Army have made themselves present to authorities in order to obtain their legal discharge. According to Military Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Senevirathna, two officers and 424 sailors of the Navy and 16 officers and 195 airmen have also reported to their respective services during this period.

With the General Amnesty to end on 31 December, all deserters who have yet to report are encouraged to utilise this period to get their legal discharge without delay. This is the second amnesty period announced this year. The first one was in effect from 13 June to 12 July. Authorities have decided to take tough measures against deserters who fail to report during this amnesty period.