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| Sunday, 3 October 2004 |
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Security |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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November 30: Deadline to surrender illegal arms by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE During the past five years successive governments have declared amnesty for those possessing illegal firearms to surrender them to the police before a set date. Despite such events being given publicity in the media it had been revealed that only a small number of firearms have been recovered. Public Security, Law and Order Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has
said that 30,000 illegal firearms are with people. Intelligence reports suggest that old illegal firearms are sold to underworld gangs by terror groups operating in the North -East. It is also a known fact that the Defence Ministry issued several firearms to political groups in 1988 and most of the weapons had not been returned. Meanwhile the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order has declared again a further amnesty period from October 1, 2004 to November 30 for those possessing illegal firearms, either to surrender them or to obtain a valid licence in respect of such weapons. The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order, Tilak Ranaviraja says that the weapons should be handed over to District Secretariats, or to Divisional Secretariats or to the nearest Police station and that legal action will not be taken against those who surrender them. The amnesty also applies to terror groups as well as supporters of various political parties. Meanwhile the government is studying a proposal to issue licenses to those who are eligible to possess firearms. The ministry will review such cases on an individual basis and is seen as a move aimed at reducing unlicensed firearms. At the time of handing over of the firearm a temporary license will be issued. The relevant application forms for this purpose could be obtained from the nearest Police Station or the Divisional Secretariat. The government is looking at compensating those who surrender illegal firearms by making cash payments for different types of weapons. Secretary Ranaviraja said that a campaign would be launched to recover firearms and to prosecute those who possess illegal firearms after the amnesty period. The government is also looking at a scheme to reward informants who furnish information regarding illegal firearms. DIG Crimes and Intelligence, Jayantha Wicremaratne says that a number of service deserters have been responsible for serious crimes. Nine hundred and eighty seven army deserters had been arrested this year up to September 24. Last year the total number of deserters arrested were 2619. They include 142 Navy and 68 Air force deserters. During the current year upto June, the Police have recovered fifteen T-56 weapons, 28 -Revolvers, 18 Pistols (including 9.mm weapons) 3 Repeater Shot Guns, 15 Shot Guns, 95 locally made guns. During 2003 period 46- T-56 weapons, 39, Repeater Guns, 78, pistols and 174 hand guns were recovered from 34 police divisions in the country. The weapons recovery programme was aimed at unseated Members of Parliament (MPs) who continued to hold on to firearms unlawfully. While some unseated MPs had returned firearms others had not done so. During the turbulent period of 1988 around 10,000 weapons were issued to MPs, Provincial Council members and local government politicians. The government also declared a previous amnesty period in 2002 from January 1-15 for the surrender of unauthorised weapons. |
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