Plans to locally manufacture ammo for T-56 assault rifles, 9mm pistols and LMG’s

• Initially, the products will be for army use, later on we are planning to expand further and provide live ammunition for other forces as well

By Sunil Jayasiri  

The Sri Lanka Army is to manufacture varieties of live ammunition for light weapons for their own use in the future, State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said.  

Speaking after making an inspection visit to the Army Ordnance Industries (AOI), in Veyangoda, the Minister said that plans are afoot to develop this important Army asset and also produce varieties of ammunition.  

“We are planning to manufacture live ammunition for light weapons of the Army using this facility,” he said.  

Meanwhile, speaking to Daily Mirror Army spokesman Brigadier Ravi Herath said that at the Army Ordnance Industries in Veyangoda, the army is planning to manufacture live ammunitions for T-56 assault rifle, 9mm pistol and lightweight machine gun initially.  

“Initially, the products will be for army use, later on we are planning to expand further and provide live ammunition for other forces as well,” the spokesman said.  

He said that at the facility body armor, combat helmets, boots, officers shoes, insignias etc. are being manufactured for the army.  

Explaining further, the army spokesman said that a large stock of ammunition is being imported for the use of the military using huge amounts of money.