COLOMBO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- 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.
