Warning about small arms circulation in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The Forum on Disarmament & Development has warned a large number of small arms are moving within the country undetected. Coordinator of the Forum on Disarmament and Development, Vidya Abeygunawardhana stated that in 2005 Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga appointed a national commission to deal with the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons. He said that the weapons were collected in 2006 and they have seen the paramount importance of such a commission. Vidya Abeygunawardhana said that they are not aware of the post-war weapons circulation in Sri Lanka. These incidents take us back to the Avant-Garde Floating Armoury where a large number of weapons were stored in a dangerous manner. Yet, the manner in which these weapons were obtained and who used them remains a mystery. What is the exact number of weapons that were taken over by security forces from the vessel that was owned by Avant Garde ? Reports surfaced that the serial numbers of some weapons seized by the security forces had been erased and some weapons did not have a serial number at all. Has the government analyst prepared a report on the legality of the weapons and ammunition that were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department more than THREE years ago? If not, what is the delay in the investigation? It was said the floating armory was a threat to national security and the security forces led by the Sri Lanka Navy surrounded the vessel, arrested several people and seized the illegal weapons and ammunition. Following these events, was the law enforced in a proper manner? The present government of good governance claimed the operations and the floating armory of avant-garde were illegal and promised to carry out an extensive investigation along with bringing those accountable before the law.