Opportunity to leave Army [February 01 2011]

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has made arrangements for army deserters, including officers, to leave the Army officially with clearance. “These arrangements are made to coincide with the forthcoming Independence Day and they can report to their respective regimental headquarters”, Military spokesman Major General Ubaya Medawela.

He said the absentees get the official clearance from the army at special counters opened from February 4 to 12.

There are over 40,000 army deserters and over 980 had been arrested during December, 2010.

Maj.Gen. Medawela said the opportunity should not be considered as a General Amnesty but a special concession for the absentees.

He said the SLA would continue to arrest army deserters who do not report during this period.