MoD announces amnesty for deserters

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 15 February 2000, 11:33 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced today that a general amnesty has been granted to Sri Lanka Army (SLA) deserters following pleas by the parents of the absconding soldiers to the SLA commander.

The amnesty will hold for one week from 21 to 27 February, the MoD said.

The statement further said that deserters could report at nearest Army camp or police station with their identity papers, and no disciplinary actions will be taken against them.

Salary and allowances will be paid from the first day they resume their duties, the ministry said.

The Sri Lanka Army has announced several amnesties for army deserters in the past. However, the responses had been poor. The latest call for amnesty comes as the Army launched a recruitment drive for 15,000 new recruits.