Sri Lanka, Feb. 24 -- The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha, has issued an order for the immediate arrest of all deserters from the security forces.

During a special press conference held at the Government Information Department on February 22, the Defence Secretary revealed concerns about a rising trend of armed forces personnel with weapons training deserting the Tri-Forces to engage in criminal activities or join underworld gangs.

He emphasized that an order has been issued to apprehend such individuals, stating that both the military and the police are capable of tracking down and arresting military deserters with weapons training within a short period.

When questioned by a journal...