Nov 26, Colombo:Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said today during the period of amnesty 5,003 absentee soldiers have reported for duty at their respective Regiments.

Another 6,145 youth have been recruited to the Army recently, Brig. Nanayakkara said at the weekly media briefing.

The Army launched its fourth recruitment drive in January this year, which will continue until 31 December. According to Brigadier Nanayakkara, the army is currently looking to recruit another 24,000 during the next few months.

Meanwhile, an island wide track down is underway to arrest the deserters who failed to report to the respective units during the amnesty period.

A total of 2,984 soldiers and 21 officers who refused to report back have been arrested for deserting and will be tried in Court, Army sources say.