Off the wire
• China to launch air quality inspection  • Bangladesh Dhaka cafe attack mastermind's close aide killed in police "shootout"  • Urgent: DPRK leader's half-brother killed in Malaysia -- Yonhap  • Trains crash in Luxembourg, one dead  • Weather forecast for world cities -- Feb. 14  • Chinese manufacturer ships domestic nuclear power equipment to France  • Tourist plane crashes in Belgium, pilot injured  • Weather forecast for major Chinese cities, regions -- Feb. 14  • Indonesia's inflation expected to ease in February  • Home win vital as Madrid entertain in form Napoli in Champions League  
You are here: 　 Home

Over 1,300 military deserters arrested in Sri Lanka

Xinhua, February 14, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Sri Lanka Police together with the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police arrested 1,300 military deserters in nationwide raids conducted by the forces, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.

Military spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne, quoted by the Defence Ministry media said the deserters had been arrested since Dec 31.

Accordingly, 984 army, 236 navy and 14 air force personnel who were 'Absent Without Official Leave' (AWOL) were arrested to date.

He also pointed out that around 42,800 military deserters, including officers, had not reported for duty so far and legal action would be taken against them.

The Defence Ministry had declared two General Amnesty periods last year, providing the opportunity for servicemen who are considered as AWOL to obtain legal discharge.

The previous General Amnesty period ended on Dec. 31 during which 34 officers and 8,843 other ranks reported to their respective services seeking legal discharge. Endit