Over 15,000 Army deserters discharged, strength reduced by nearly 50,000 since 2009

The Army headquarters yesterday (21) announced that at the end of the month-long general amnesty period (April 20 to May 20), 15,667 personnel who were absent without leave had been discharged. They included 373 personnel who were currently overseas, Director General Media and Physiological Operations Maj. Gen. Rasika Kumara said in a statement issued yesterday.

The official said that a general amnesty period had been offered for those absent without leave since Dec 31, 2023, and even earlier.

At the height of the war, the Army comprised about 205,000 officers and men. With the latest discharge of personnel, the Army strength has dropped to 161,000.

During Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka’s tenure as the Army Commander (2005-2009), the strength was nearly doubled.

Last year, the government announced that it intended to bring down the army’s strength to 100,000 by 2030.