MOD Orders Return of Firearms Issued for MPs'

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Defense has issued a directive for Members of Parliament to return repeater firearms that were issued for their personal security.

A decision has been taken to take over all firearms issued for personal protection to civilians by the Ministry of Defence. 

This decision was in accordance to the powers vested to the Defence Secretary under Sections 6(1) and 6(2) of the Firearms Ordinance Act No. 33 of 1916, to take over firearms on temporary basis to the government. Further, this decision is taken subjected to reissue them after a review process.

Accordingly, all licensees are informed to hand over their firearms and ammunition issued, to the Commercial Explosive Firearms and Ammunition Procurement Unit (CEFAP) at Sri Lanka Navy camp in Welisara before 07.11.2024. 

A copy of the acceptance receipt issued by the CEFAP should be handed over to the Civil Security and Development Division office established at the main entrance of the Ministry of Defence.

The Ministry of Defence will initiate legal action against those who fail to return their firearms and ammunition before the given date in accordance with the Firearm Ordinance Act No. 33 of 1916.

The Ministry of Defense revealed that a total of 1,690 firearms had been issued over time for the protection of 1,500 individuals. Moving forward, firearms will only be issued based on intelligence reports.