February 24, Colombo (LNW): An immediate order has been issued for the arrest of all military personnel on awol before completing their required service.
The order has been issued by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha, asserting that all military deserters who have left their posts before completing their required service will be arrested.
This directive follows growing concerns over recent reports that some soldiers, particularly those with weapons training, have been involved in a rising number of criminal activities.
In a response to a journalist’s query regarding these troubling developments, the Defence Secretary acknowledged the Ministry’s alarm over the issue, stressing that military personnel who desert their duties are often more susceptible to involvement in criminal gangs.
He explained that investigations have shown a concerning trend, with many deserters, having received weapons training, becoming entangled with underworld elements.
“We have seen a significant number of arrests, and we are addressing the situation,” Thuyacontha stated. “This is not just an issue within the forces, but a wider social concern. Those who leave the military prematurely, often without completing their full term of service, have a higher propensity to get involved in illegal activities.”
The Defence Secretary further clarified that soldiers who undergo short-term weapons training are particularly at risk of engaging in criminal behaviour after their departure from the forces.
“These individuals are trained in the use of weapons for a period of one or two years, and when they leave, they are more inclined to turn to criminal activities,” he added.
To combat this, the Ministry has taken decisive action, instructing the military police to intensify efforts to apprehend military deserters.
The Defence Secretary confirmed that these individuals are being actively sought and that measures are in place to facilitate their capture.
The issue of military personnel abandoning their posts has grown into a significant social challenge, according to Thuyacontha.
In addition to addressing this matter, he stressed that the government would not tolerate any political protection for individuals involved in criminal enterprises. Legal actions are being swiftly pursued to tackle these activities head-on.
The Defence Secretary also revealed that an audit of firearms has been conducted, with a substantial number now under the Ministry’s control. This move aims to ensure that illegal weapons are accounted for and that they do not fall into the wrong hands.
During a special press conference on February 22, Thuyacontha further elaborated on the situation, acknowledging that there is a troubling trend of military personnel with weapons training deserting their posts and subsequently becoming involved in criminal gangs or underworld activities.
He assured the public that both the military and the police are fully equipped to track and apprehend these deserters swiftly.
When queried about the involvement of active-duty military personnel in criminal enterprises, Thuyacontha admitted that some soldiers had been found to have connections with criminal groups, often driven by economic hardship or addiction to illegal substances.
He pledged that efforts would be made to identify and arrest any such individuals in the future, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining discipline and integrity within the armed forces.
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