Former MPs ordered to return pistols issued to them immediately

• Over 100 MPs out of the 225 members in the recently dissolved Parliament had obtained pistols

By Sunil Jayasiri

Former parliamentarians have been ordered to return their pistols, which were issued to them for personal security, to the Ministry of Defence without delay, informed sources said yesterday.

A senior defence official told the Daily Mirror that parliamentary authorities have sent separate letters to those former MPs who had received these firearms, requesting them to hand over their personal pistols.

Statistics indicate that more than 100 MPs out of the 225 members in the recently dissolved Parliament had obtained pistols for personal protection.

This latest development follows a decision made by the previous government to allow former MPs to keep at least two firearms for their personal protection.

Addressing the media in August before the presidential election, then Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardana stated that, due to the concerning trend of violence in the country, the government decided to implement the new policy permitting ex-MPs to retain two firearms.

However, it remains unclear whether the current government will uphold the decision made by the previous administration.