Over 550 Army deserters arrested following raids

556 Army personnel who are Absent Without Leave (AWOL) have been apprehended by the law enforcement authorities. 

555 army officers, 23 female officers and one Cadet Officer are among the arrested, Army Media Spokesperson Major General Roshan Seneviratne said.

The Army Headquarters on November 23 announced that with the end of the General Amnesty, law enforcement authorities will begin island-wide operations to apprehend absconding deserters.

The General Amnesty extended to Army absentees ended on November 22 midnight.

A total of 11,232 Army deserters including 15 Officers, 09 Officer Cadets and 11,208 Other Rank personnel had reported to their respective Regimental Centers seeking legal discharge during the Amnesty period, Army Media Spokesperson Major GeneraL Roshan Seneviratne said.

The Amnesty period was offered to Sri Lanka Army personnel, who are considered as AWOL (Absent Without Leave) to obtain legal discharge, from 23rd October to 22nd November (2017).

The General Amnesty wad declared under the directions of the President and the Ministry of Defense on October 23.

Provision of employment or harbouring any Army absentee or deserter amounts to breach of existing law of the country and is a punishable offence in Court as per section 133 of the Penal Code.