Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda told parliament yesterday that the government would take a decision regarding imprisoned army deserters within the next 10 days.


The Minister was answering a question by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.


Mr. Jayasekara said that there were 6,000 army deserters who had been jailed along with other criminals.


The minister replied that the government would take a decision regarding them within 10 days.


“I cannot announce it now. But something will be done within the next ten days,” he said.


JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake asked about the recent killing spree of persons involved in underworld crimes.


“We have noticed some alleged underworld figures being killed in recent times. Numerous other persons are also involved with them in crimes. If one such person is killed without him being subjected to a trial in a court of law, we cannot extract information about others involved in crimes along with him,” he said.


He said that it would then affect efforts to curb crimes. “All other criminals will disappear from the scene in such an eventuality,” he said.