Orders have been issued to arrest all armed forces deserters, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha said on Monday.

Speaking to Newswire, the Defence Secretary said the directive has been issued in order to curb crimes in Sri Lanka. 

He further said the main objective was to expedite the process to curtail underworld-related activities in the country. 

Meanwhile, addressing the media on Saturday, the Defence Secretary addressed concerns about former military personnel engaging in criminal activities.

He noted that many such individuals involved in recent crimes had unofficially left or been discharged from military service shortly after receiving weapons training. 

Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha assured that necessary actions are being taken, with the assistance of the Police, to apprehend these individuals. (Newswire)

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A ten-member contingent of the Sri Lanka armed forces visited the United Kingdom (UK) to take part in the Coronation Procession of Their Majesties King Charles III and The Queen Consort.  

The Sri Lankan High Commission in London said in a statement that the delegation visited the UK from 30 April – 7 May 2023 at the invitation of the British Government.

 The delegation reached London on 30 April 2023 and took part in the rehearsals conducted by the UK Ministry of Defence. On 3 May, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Saroja Sirisena met the members of the delegation at the High Commission and expressed appreciation for taking part in the Coronation Procession.

 On 6 May, the contingent joined the Coronation Procession which accompanied Their Majesties the King and the Queen Consort from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace through the streets of Central London after the Coronation. 

The Coronation Procession included Military representatives from 33 Commonwealth nations and six British Overseas Territories. The Household Cavalry Mounted Band and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery led the Procession, followed by 400 service personnel from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth flanked by 114 Guardsmen of the Household Division carrying Realm and Commonwealth flags.

 The delegation was headed by Captain BGPFA  Wickramasuriya of the Sri Lanka Navy and Group Captain PN Gunathilake of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Other members of the delegation were Major W W N C  Waduge, Captain A T W P  Hewage and WO 1 W P D R Weerasinghe of Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant DWCU Wimalaguna and Petty Officer RM Aruna of Sri Lanka Navy, Flight Lieutenant MADAP Munasinghe and Flight Sergeant Wickramasinghe MAPR of Sri Lanka Air Force. (NewsWire)

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