The general amnesty began on October 23, and was expected to end on November 15. During this period a total of 8,052 army deserters including 10 officers, eight officer cadets and 8,034 other rankers have reached respective regimental centres to seek legal discharge.
The decision to extend an amnesty period was proposed by the commander of the army after considering their previous service to the country.
Provision of employment or harbouring any army absentee or deserter amounts to breach of exiting law in the country and is an offence punishable under the penal code.
Upon expiry of the final day of the extended amnesty (November 22), law enforcing authorities have been advised to launch island-wide operation to nab the reminder of those AWOL.
The Sri Lanka army has appealed to the general public to educate and encourage the absentees if known to make use of this opportunity and receive the discharge.
All those remaining absentees are advised to make use of this special amnesty, now in effect and receive their legal discharge before November 22.
The general amnesty on the directions of the president and the ministry of defence was declared on October 23, and respective regimental centres under the supervision of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake began receiving those
absentees.
