Week-long general amnesty declared for Army deserters

A week-long general amnesty period has been declared for Tri-Service absentees to receive discharge or re-join to continue their national service to the country, the Sri Lanka Army said in a statement yesterday.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has declared this period of amnesty in parallel with the 72nd National Independence Day through the Ministry.

Accordingly, the amnesty period will be effective from 5 February through 12 February.

Army personnel wishing to receive legal discharge or re-enlistment are requested to reach their respective Regimental Centres or Recruit Training Centres, if they had deserted while under training during the said period.

Instructions to this effect have already been conveyed to all formations by the Army Directorate of Personnel Administration (DPA) on a directive given by Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army.

In order to expedite and facilitate legal procedures, those absentees are advised to bring their National Identity Card (NIC) or Driving Licence/Passport or a photocopy, a photocopy of the bank book or a letter from the Grama Sevaka official, if those documents are not in possession. Similarly, the Army Identity Card or a copy of the complaint lodged in the Police if it had been displaced or lost is required to process the discharge or re-enlistment. Those capable of furnishing all the above requirements are able to receive their clearance within a day after the issue of a temporary discharge letter. Those expecting to stay back in camps until those procedures are completed are requested to bring their essentials, toiletries and other needs, adequate for two days. This general amnesty is offered only to Tri-Force absentees who remain absent without leave (AWOL) before 30 September 2019.