Colombo, April 8 -- Over the past two months, authorities have arrested nearly 1,700 individuals who had deserted the armed forces and have involved in organized criminal activities, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said.

In addition to these arrests, more than 1,000 illegal firearms circulating within society have been seized during this period, he added.

In response to growing concerns over former military personnel being involved in criminal activities, the Defence Ministry had earlier issued an order for the immediate arrest of deserters from the security forces in response to the growing threat.

Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha said earlier that many individuals connected to recent crimes had either unofficially left ...