Over 1,000 illegal weapons seized in past three years in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Police Special Task Force, the tactical unit of Sri Lanka Police, seized 1,163 illegal firearms during the past three years. 

'These included T-56 Assault Rifles, T-81 Assault Rifles, Pistols, and Revolvers," said the Public Security Minister noting that law enforcement will seize all weapons recovered during operations to crackdown on drugs, and the underworld.

"Following the end of the three-decade long war, weapons reached the south of the country," said Sri Lanka's Public Security Minister Tiran Alles in Parliament on Tuesday (6) in response to a question on illegal firearms circulating in the country. 

He also noted that weapons are also smuggled along with drugs by sea.

"When 192 kg of heroin was seized in the Bandaragama Police Jurisdiction, 10 pistols were also recovered," said the Minister, adding that what can be done by authorities is to trace weapons and make arrests.