Sri Lanka Army will launch an islandwide search operation to apprehend Army deserters after the general amnesty hranted to them ended yesterday. Official sources said that the deserters were granted ample time to surrender during the general amnesty period and those who did not make use of will have to face consequences under the SLA Act. A total of 12 officers and 4,618 other ranks who had deserted the Army have been arrested so far.
Meanwhile, 11 offers and 4,805 ranks who had deserted the Army, surrendered during the given nine day grace period since February 3. Soldiers who have not reported for work and have been absent without leave were given an opportunity to resign from the Army in a lawful manner.