THE ARMY yesterday began de-listing those who deserted from service, while the Air Force and Navy too were engaged in a similar process.
Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said the Army will discharge all soldiers who deserted the service on or before May 31.
He said on the first day there were a considerable number of deserters applying for their discharge certificates.
All deserters coming under the above category have been requested to report to their regimental camps.
If the national identity card indicated the profession as "Sri Lanka Army Soldier, it has to be changed and to carry this out the deserter has to submit five colour photographs along with the required stampstse to be used for a new NIC,” Brigadier Nanayakkara said.
All other identity cards issued by the Army had to be surrendered to facilitate the receipt of the discharge certificate on the same day.
He asked all deserters to make use of this opportunity to get honourable discharge certificates without any penalties.
Army deserters are seen queuing up to get their discharge certificates at the Panagoda Army Camp. Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera
Meanwhile, the air force said letters regarding the de-listing of its deserters will be sent out from August 31.
Air force spokesman Janaka Nanayakkara said letters would be sent to respective addresses provided to the Air Force. Statistics show there are around 3,000 Air Force deserters in the country.
He also called on the deserters who changed their mail addresses to inform the new addresses to the air force headquarters as soon as possible.
The Navy headquarters meanwhile, said there was a good response from navy deserters during first few days starting on August 10 and would continue until September 10.
