More than 4,000 deserters rejoin Sri Lankan army

Uzbekistan News.Net
Friday 30th November, 2007 (IANS)

Colombo, Nov 30 (Xinhua) The Sri Lankan military said Friday that more than 4,000 deserters have rejoined the Army during a two-week amnesty period.

Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara told reporters 4,394 deserters rejoined the Army between Nov 12 and Nov 24.

He said this accounts for about half of the 10,000 soldiers who have deserted the Army due to various reasons.

'After a short period of retraining they will be posted in the ranks they held when they deserted,' he said.

The spokesman also said soldiers who have completed their 12-year service are encouraged to rejoin the Army.

Analysts say these moves will give a boost to the Sri Lankan Army in their struggle against the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

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