3,000 SLA deserters to face military tribunal

[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 October 2008, 10:58 GMT]
About three thousand deserted soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) including twenty one high ranking officers now under detention after arrest by the police are to be produced before military tribunal shortly, media sources reported quoting Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.

Military spokesman further stated that about 4000 deserted soldiers have rejoined their regiments in the last six months. About 10 thousand persons have already been recruited newly to the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Police. Another batch of about 24 thousand persons is to be recruited to the SLA within next few months, he added according to media sources.

The fourth recruitment drive to the SLA began last week is to conclude in December this year, sources added.