COLOMBO (NewsRadio); Over 15,000 military deserters from the tri forces have applied to obtain legal discharge during the past month after a general amnesty period was declared by the Ministry of Defense.
Director Media and Army Spokesman Brigadier Ravi Herath said as of yesterday, 15,476 Army personnel have applied to obtain legal discharge.
Brigadier Ravi Herath said 15,165 personnel will be able to receive clearance and discharge from service.
Another 194 applicants will be subjected to certain clearance assessments.
The Ministry of Defence last month announced a general amnesty period for Tri-Forces absentees in order for them to receive legal discharge.
The Ministry issuing a statement said absentees can receive legal discharge from service without reporting to their respective Divisions between 15th of November and the 31st of December 2022.
Accordingly, the Tri-Forces personnel who have been absent without leave (AWOL) on or before the 25th of October 2022 will be able to receive their discharge from military services and if any amount is due, it should be settled prior to discharge.
Furthermore, the Ministry noted that such individuals should not have pending investigations for disciplinary breaches except their absence without leave.
The Defence Ministry also stated that it should be confirmed from the Department of Immigration and Emigration that these individuals have not traveled overseas through illegal means or have not fraudulently prepared passports and other documents to travel overseas.
