1,700 armed forces deserters arrested in crime crackdown: Minister

Colombo, April 8 (Daily Mirror) - 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 or been discharged from military service after receiving weapons training.

Minister Wijepala who visited the Maha Nayaka Theras in Kandy, told the media that operations to counter organized crime were continuing.

He said that around 500 Special Task Force (STF) personnel had passed out on the previous day and would soon be deployed to bolster efforts against criminal activity.

Meanwhile, in response to reports that certain members of the forces and police are involved in underworld and narcotics, the Minister said that investigations are underway to identify those involved and take action against them.

He said that he had already instructed the Acting IGP and the Ministry Secretary in this regard.

The Minister also said that several police officers who had maintained contacts with underworld criminals and narcotics traffickers had been suspended from service.