WEB DESK
Sri Lankan army has arrested more than two thousand people from its ranks who had deserted the army during LTTE war and failed to surrender during a general amnesty programme last month. Army spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne told media that they have arrested 2019 persons out of more than 28,000 who were missing after end of amnesty programme.
He said investigations will be carried out in the past of those arrested and they will be released if nothing is found against them. Meanwhile, hunt is on for the rest, many of whom may have migrated or have died.
The army spokesman did not give any specific reason but war fatigue and seeking better opportunities are suspected for the desertions. Sri Lankan army had declared one month amnesty from 23rd October to 23rd November this year and a total of 11,350 personnel surrendered during the process.
They were provided with legal discharge from the service. More than ten thousand army personnel are suspected to have died during the three-decades old war with LTTE.