A week-long general amnesty period has been declared by the Ministry of Defence from February 5 to12, for tri-force absentees to receive a discharge or rejoin to their service.

This general amnesty is offered only to Tri-Force absentees who remain Absent Without Leave (AWOL) before September 30, 2019.

The Army requested that that Army personnel wishing to accept the legal discharge or the re-enlistment to reach their respective Regimental Centres or Recruit Training Centres if they had deserted while under training during the period.

Instructions to this effect have already been conveyed to all formations by the Army Directorate of Personnel Administration (DPA) on a directive given by acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Shavendra Silva.

The Army said that to expedite and facilitate legal procedures, those absentees were advised to bring their National Identity Card (NIC) or Driving Licence/Passport or its photocopy of the bank book or a letter from the Grama Niladhari if those documents were not in possession.

“Similarly, the Army Identity Card or a copy of the complaint lodged in the Police if it had been displaced or lost is required to process the discharge or the re-enlistment,” the SLA said.

Those capable of furnishing all the above requirements can receive their clearance within a day after the issue of a temporary discharge letter, the army said. Those expecting to stay back in camps until those procedures are completed are requested to bring their essentials, toiletries and other needs, adequate for two days. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)