Law enforcement to crackdown on illegal weapons

Colombo (News 1st): With the conclusion of the week-long firearms amnesty, Sri Lanka Police together with other intelligence agencies launched an operation to crackdown on illegal firearms. During the grace period, 200 firearms without valid permits or with no renewed permits were handed over to Police stations in nine provinces. The Defence Ministry declared the firearms amnesty from February 5th to 12th following the directives of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to collect all illegal firearms in the country. Following the request made by the Defence Ministry to those who are possessing firearms;

• 137 nos of 12 bore shotguns
• 15 nos of 16 bore shotguns
• 02 nos of double-barrel shotguns
• 05 nos of repeater shotguns
• 06 nos of riffles
• 07 nos of revolvers
• 08 nos of pistols 8 and
• 20 other weapons were handed over to the nearest police stations.

According to the Defence Ministry website, the Police Spokesperson said “No legal action has been taken against those who have handed over their weapons without valid permits or without renewals but stern action will be taken against those who are still hiding weapons illegally. The Defence Ministry spelt out the firearms amnesty to ensure public safety and curb threats posed by such unauthorized weapons. The Defence Ministry requests the public to provide information about those who still keep illegal firearms in their possession after the amnesty. Under the provisions of the No.33 of Firearms Ordinance 1916, possessing weapons without a licence is a punishable offence and liable to fines or imprisonment or both. Those who have not handed over their weapons with no valid permits, if it is the first offence, they will be fined not exceeding Rs. 10,000 or with rigorous imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or with both such fine and imprisonment.