|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 17 February 2002 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
De-commissioning of illegal firearms; UN team here to assist by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE A five-member team from the United Nations is now in Sri Lanka to help the government as a gesture of goodwill to oversee the de-commissioning of unauthorised firearms and other weapons in the possession of civilians and members of certain political parties, said the Interior Minister John Amaratunga at a media briefing in Colombo last week in connection with the government's 100-day program. The minister said the UN members will be here for a short period to oversee and help the authorities in the de-commissioning process. Sri Lanka's UN representative, Jayantha Dhanapala, has been instrumental in organising the UN sponsored program, he said. The minister said that despite an amnesty granted by the government from January 1-15 for the surrender of unauthorised firearms and weapons, the response had been extremely poor and the government was now contemplating tough action against those in possession of such firearms and weapons. However, according to police, about 1,000 firearms are in the possession of underworld gangsters, members of certain political parties and 'service' deserters. The minister said that most road blocks in Colombo, Up-country, Vanni and other areas had been removed to facilitate the free movement of people. Interior Ministry's Secretary A. Juniad said that the Department of Registration of Persons that came under the ministry had already issued 5000 National Identity Cards (NIC) among estate workers in the Nuwara Eliya district and a further 1200 NICs would be issued at Talawakelle shortly. Meanwhile, the Interior ministry with the assistance of the Department of Registration of Persons was planning to issue computerised identity cards in the future with details of the individual. It was learnt that six foreign companies had submitted proposals to the Department of Registration of Persons in this regard. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
