Sri Lanka's Forces Capture 679 Deserters in Major Operation

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Defence has announced the arrest of 679 military deserters since February 22nd. 

The arrests were made during a joint operation conducted by the police and the tri-forces.

Of the 679 deserters, 572 were apprehended during military operations, including 455 from the Army, 69 from the Air Force, and 48 from the Navy. 

Additionally, 107 deserters were captured during police operations.

On the 24th of February, Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) issued orders for the immediate arrest of all armed forces deserters.

This directive was in response to a troubling increase in shooting incidents linked to former military personnel who have abandoned their posts.