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| Sunday, 29 August 2004 |
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Illegal firearms surrender: Deadline tomorrow by Anton Nonis The deadline for the surrender of unlicensed firearms ends tomorrow, August 30, an official of the Public Security ministry said. About 2000 firearms were recovered since the government called for the surrender of weapons in March, 2004. Police have so far failed to recover 33,000 out of around 35,000 unlicensed firearms still being possessed by some sections of society, unlawfully. According to the ministry source, licensing of firearms did not take place from 1989 to 1996, due to insurrection in the country. Licensing resumed during 1997. After which slightly more than 1000 firearms were forwarded for licensing. Those who have still not complied with the government's call for the surrender or declaration of firearms possessed by them, have time to do so till tomorrow. They could do so by forwarding the firearms at the police or at the Divisional Secretariat, without having to face any difficulty, the source said. Inspector General of Police, Indra de Silva said it was very important that regularisation of all firearms be made in the country, be it shot guns or any other type of firearm. They are being used for committing various types of crime. IGP de Silva said that the 'underworld', and army deserters, still continue to possess dangerous weapons. On many occasions, these weapons are exchanged among different people and they are either sold or given out for some other purpose. The authorities feel that a substantial number of weapons are also still being held by former provincial council members and parliamentarians. |
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