Do we need pistol packing MPs?

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Newly elected MPs are demanding pistols even when the masses continue to suffocate under the escalating cost of living. "Why pistols for MPs?" the voter may wonder at a time when terrorism has been wiped out and peace prevails in the country. Why should MPs be armed.

It was reported in the media that 35 newly elected parliamentarians participated in a two-day firearms training session conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) at the Katukurunda Police STF Academy Grounds on October 27 and 28. The weapons' training exercise was on the basic use of pistols and automatic revolvers.

Since peace has been restored, the public are wary as to why 35 parliamentarians want weapons for their personal protection.

However, the media reported that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya denied any knowledge of some newly elected parliamentarians participating in a weapons' training exercise. Speaker Jayasuriya said that he was not consulted. The Speaker pointed out that there wasn't any justifiable reason to arm MPs six years after the conclusion of the war.

A newly elected MP who wished to remain anonymous told the Sunday Observer that issuing weapons to parliamentarians has been a long-standing practice. I have no need for a weapon and my security is ensured by the Ministerial Security Division (MSD). They are well-trained and equipped. I don't see any reason to obtain a weapon for my personal security.

A senior parliamentary official told the Sunday Observer that the firearms training was handled by the Defence Ministry and was not under the purview of Parliament. If a parliamentarian wants to get some facility, Parliament issues a letter confirming that they are MPs.

Informed sources said if any parliamentarian wished to obtain firearms training, a letter from Parliament should be submitted to the Defence Ministry. A senior government official said that training of MPs to handle firearms was not introduced by the incumbent government and prevailed for decades. Sources confirmed that in the wake of the second JVP-led insurgency in the late 1980s, former President J.R. Jayewardene authorised weapons for MPs, Provincial Council members and some selected local government members.

Parliamentary Reforms and Media Minister Gayantha Karunatilake told the Sunday Observer that firearms training and issuing firearms to MPs was handled by the Defence Ministry. However, Minister Karunatilake told the weekly Cabinet press briefing on Thursday (October 29) he would reveal the number of MPs who had applied for licensed firearms and the number of former MPs of the previous Parliament who had returned the firearms provided to them. The Minister said most parliamentarians including himself had not obtained firearms. He said there were a few MPs who had obtained licensed firearms and promised journalists to divulge the information at a later date. Provincial Councils and Local Governments Deputy Minister Karunaratne Paranavithana also confirmed that he had been given an application to obtain a licensed firearm and added that he rejected it as he didn't want such firearms or training.

A senior Defence Ministry official told the Sunday Observer that at present no firearm has been issued to any MP of the new Parliament. This was not a facility restricted only to newly elected parliamentarians. All 225 MPs were entitled to obtain licensed firearms according to the country's laws pertaining to VIP security. But only a few MPs of the previous Parliament obtained these firearms. At present, nearly 30 newly elected MPs have applied for firearms training. However, he declined to disclose their names due to security reasons.