By Ministry of Defense Orders Immediate Arrest of Military Deserters
The Ministry of Defense has issued an urgent directive to arrest all members who have deserted the armed forces. The order, confirmed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyiyakontha, comes after a disturbing rise in criminal activities linked to former soldiers.
Sources reveal that several deserters are now in hiding, with some planning to surrender in the coming days. In a dramatic shift from past policies where desertion was largely overlooked, this new directive aims to tackle the growing threat posed by ex-soldiers involved in organized crime.
Former Sri Lankan police, navy, and army personnel have been linked to various criminal activities, including a courtroom shooting by a former police officer, illegal drug smuggling operations involving ex-navy officers, and armed robberies carried out by former military deserters. Additionally, some former police officers were involved in illegal gambling syndicates, reflecting the ongoing issue of ex-security personnel engaging in criminal behaviour.
Deserters on the Run
In a bold move, the Ministry has ramped up efforts to detain those who abandoned their posts, fearing that their skills and military training have made them prime candidates for criminal activity. Reports of recent violent crimes, including murders and robberies, have been linked to military deserters, raising alarm about their role in fueling the country’s rising crime wave.
The government is urging the public to come forward with any information regarding deserters, who are being actively hunted down. The Ministry’s crackdown on these former military personnel is set to escalate, as the police and military police are mobilized to assist in their capture.
An International Snapshot of Desertion
The issue of military desertion is not unique to Sri Lanka. Around the world, countries have faced similar challenges in dealing with deserters—often with severe consequences. From North Korea’s brutal punishments to Afghanistan’s more passive approach following its fall, nations handle desertion in ways that reflect their political structures and the nature of their conflicts.
Syria: Deserters face severe punishment, including imprisonment or execution, with the regime using propaganda to portray them as traitors.
North Korea: Desertion is one of the most serious offenses, often leading to imprisonment or labor camps, with the regime ensuring strict control over its military.
Afghanistan: After the Taliban’s takeover, many deserters went into hiding, with limited pursuit by the new regime, although some were executed.
Iraq and Russia: Both countries have had to deal with high desertion rates during periods of heavy conflict, often using a combination of punishment and coercion to maintain order within their forces.
As Sri Lanka takes a more aggressive stance on the issue of military desertion, the international community continues to watch how the country will balance law enforcement with the rehabilitation of its former service members.
