The Sri Lankan army Saturday offered another amnesty to thousands of deserters to return to their posts and avoid prosecution.
Army chief Lionel Balagalle urged military deserters in newspaper advertisements to return with dignity and boost the army's battle against Tamil Tiger guerrillas.
The army chief said that 4,544 troopers had taken advantage of the amnesty offered last year and he promised "lenient punishment" to those who return on their own.
He said deserters could be given three year jail sentences on conviction and described them as a "cancer for the nation and a burden on society."
The Sri Lankan army has declared more than a dozen amnesty periods in recent years to tackle the growing problem of desertions in the 120,000-strong military.
The number of deserters has been placed at several thousand.
Government forces are currently observing a truce to mark the traditional New Year until Tuesday morning.
The separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas have been observing a ceasefire since Christmas Eve which they have repeatedly extended. It is currently due to expire on April 24 – COLOMBO (AFP)
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