Sri Lanka, Feb. 4 -- Promotions for 9,158 Army personnel take effect today (4) in conjunction with the 78th National Independence Day, according to an Army statement.

The Army announced that 260 Warrant Officer II senior non-commissioned officers move up to the rank of Warrant Officer I, while 1,211 Staff Sergeants receive promotions to Warrant Officer II.

Additionally, 1,704 Sergeants climb to Staff Sergeant, 2,339 Corporals reach Sergeant rank, and 2,204 Lance Corporals promote to Corporal.

A further 1,440 privates advance to the rank of Lance Corporal as part of this mass elevation.

Separately, 49 prison inmates were freed today following a decision to grant them a special release to mark the 78th National Independence Day.

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