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Sri Lanka’s Army Recruits Women Soldiers

In its 14th year of civil war, Sri Lanka is having trouble finding recruits for its military. The shortage has led recruiters to look more favorably upon young women as potential soldiers. Military officials claim that women make up half the fighters in any Tamil rebel army, but fewer females contribute to Sri Lanka’s fighting forces. Of the country’s 2050 military officers, only 50 are women. Army officials believe, however, that the number of women showing interest in entering the military is increasing. At the Kotewala Defense Academy at Ratmalana 17 women graduated in this year’s class of 107 cadets.

Sources:

CNN Online - August 11, 1997

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