The Ministry of Defence has instructed that all firearms and ammunition issued to civilians for personal protection must be surrendered to the government.
The Ministry explained that this measure is intended to allow for a review process, and subsequent return of the items.
All license holders have been instructed to surrender their firearms and ammunition to the Sri Lanka Navy Base in Welisara on or before 7th November.
A copy of the receipt must be submitted to the reception of the Civil Security Department, near the main gate of the Ministry of Defence.
The Ministry of Defense has warned that failure to surrender firearms by November 7 will result in legal action under the Firearms Ordinance.
The directive does not apply to firearms issued by the Ministry of Defense for property protection, agricultural safeguarding, or sports purposes.
Meanwhile all former Members of Parliament who were issued pistols for their personal use by the previous government have been informed in writing to return the pistols to the Defence Ministry immediately.
Steps have been taken by the Member Services Division of Parliament to send separate letters to the former MPs who had received these firearms requesting them to handover their pistols without any delay.
