(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Sri Lanka Police together with the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP) are currently conducting island-wide raids to arrest tri forces personnel who are considered as Absent without Official Leave (AWOL).
Speaking to the Ministry of Defence Media, Military Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne said that around 1,300 tri forces deserters have been arrested till Monday (13th Feb.) from midnight 31st December 2016.
Further speaking the Military Spokesman stated that 984 army, 236 navy, and 14 air force AWOL personnel have been arrested to date. He also pointed out that, around 42,800 tri forces deserters (including officers) who have not reported for duty so far and legal actions will be taken against them.
The Ministry of Defence declared two General Amnesty periods last year, providing the opportunity to tri forces personnel who are considered as AWOL to obtain legal discharge. The previous General Amnesty period ended on 31st December 2016 and during that period, 34 officers and 8,843 other ranks reported to their respective services seeking legal discharge.