President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday had granted an amnesty several hundred military deserters, officials said.

The pardon applies to deserters serving up to a year in jail after being convicted by a military court.

The amnesty announcement coincided with Poson. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara last night said that he couldn’t give the exact number of persons released.

Most of the desertions took place several years ago, sources said adding there had been no exodus in recent years despite heavy fighting with the Tigers who were defeated last month.