Possession of illegal firearms; Police to continue raids

• 198 firearms handed over during recent amnesty  

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

The Police together with other intelligence agencies have commenced raiding illegal firearms, since the conclusion of an amnesty to handover illegal firearms. The Ministry of Defence declared a grace period to handover illegal firearms held without valid permits or documents to the police.  

The amnesty had been announced from February 6, 2023 to March 15, 2023 to collect all illegal firearms.  
During the grace period, 198 firearms without valid permits or with no renewed permits have been handed over to Police stations in nine provinces.  

The Defence Ministry said those who were possessing bore shotguns, double barrel shotguns, repeater shotguns, rifles, revolvers, pistols and other firearms have been handed over to police stations.  

No legal action have been taken against those who have handed over their weapons without valid permits or without renewals but police said that they will take stern action against those who are still hiding weapons illegally  

• Defence Ministry says those who were possessing bore shotguns, double barrel shotguns, repeater shotguns, rifles, revolvers, pistols and other firearms have been handed over to police stations