(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Authorities are continuing to take action against armed forces personnel who are considered as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). So far the Military Police together with the Police Department have arrested more than 4,000 Tri Forces deserters.
According to Military Spokesperson Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne, since the last General Amnesty ending at midnight of 31 December, 7 officers and 4074 other rank deserters have been taken into custody. Those arrested include 7 officers and 3241 other ranks of the Army, 765 Navy and 68 Air Force personnel. Military Police together with the Police Department are continuing with their operations to arrest deserters and take legal action against them.
The Ministry of Defence had declared two General Amnesty periods during last year, to facilitate tri forces personnel who are considered as AWOL to obtain legal discharge. During the last General Amnesty period that ended on 31 December 2016, 34 officers and 8843 other ranks reported to their respective services seeking legal discharge.