The Sri Lankan cadet officer, who passed out from Britain’s prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy last week, has gone missing, according to Defence Ministry sources.
Mohammed Aneek was among 209 officers who passed out after 44 weeks of intense training. He was scheduled to return home this week after the passing out parade but missed the scheduled flight.
When the Sri Lankan High Commission offered to arrange his transport to the airport for his scheduled flight last Saturday, he declined the offer, saying he would find his own way. He had vacated the Academy on Friday. Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK, Rohitha Bogollagama, was present to congratulate Officer Cadet Aneek as he took part in the passing out parade—the Sovereign’s Parade. As a commissioned officer, he is now holding the rank of second lieutenant.
In Colombo, the Defence Ministry spokesman said the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK was aware that the officer did not return to Sri Lanka as scheduled and that his whereabouts were still unknown.
The British authorities had been alerted that the officer did not return to Sri Lanka as scheduled after the passing out parade, he added.
Army Spokesman Major General K.A.N. Rasika Kumara said an inquiry was underway.
The officer is a resident of Mawanella.
