Police go all out to seize illegal firearms

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

The Police Department will launch a countrywide program to combat the emerging trend of gun culture created by underworld elements, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.

This was decided on due to the growing threat posed by armed gangs operating in the underworld who had been involved in various crimes such as robbery, contract killings and drug trafficking. A series of shooting incidents were reported during the past few months where several people including two local government members had been assassinated in Kelaniya and Wattala.

A Police Constable was abducted and gunned down in Kurunegala and the family of another constable was killed in Kamburupitiya.

The latest incident was from Grandpass where two youths were shot dead last week by an unidentified gunman following gang rivalry. SSP Rohana said that this emerging trend poses a serious threat to the society when peace previously after terrorism was eradicated.

Police Intelligence units will gather information on armed gangs and launch raids to round them up.

The Police Special Task Force will also be summoned to deal with heavily armed gangs. The police seeks public assistance to detect weapons and criminals.