Hon. (Major General (Rtd.)) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, the question is clear. Commissioning authority is vested by the President, and service members have significant bonds and obligations. As I said, some have defaulted on sureties and various loans and gone abroad without lawful discharge. Coordinating with those institutions is complex, and often we lack accurate particulars. Some have left without informing the services, and in light of recent events, there is concern that a small number may be linked to criminal activities. Some committed offences while in service and then went abroad without reporting back. We often cannot get reliable information or maintain contact as you propose.

¶ 02 Training investments are significant—1 to 4 years in some cases, and even overseas training at State expense. Passports for serving members require service certification, and police reports are needed. We have seen in the past how passports were issued to certain offenders. We even discussed with His Excellency the President the idea of a general amnesty, but service commanders collectively felt it would set a wrong precedent. We will take special care and develop necessary procedures so that, when such personnel return and if found unconnected to crimes or other misconduct, we can lawfully discharge them without undue delay.