Following the conclusion of the deadlines issued for the surrender of weapons distributed by the Police and military to local Police stations or District Secretaries on 31 December 2024, and the completion of the review of all appeals on 20 January, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to claim that investigations are ongoing and no statement can be issued, pending final reports.
In a concerted effort to bolster national security and regulate firearm possession, the MOD had mandated the surrender of all firearms and ammunition previously issued to civilians for personal protection.
This initiative, which began in October 2024, has been marked by a series of directives, deadlines, and reviews aimed at consolidating firearm control within the country. Concurrently, alarming revelations have surfaced regarding missing military-grade weapons, further underscoring the critical need for stringent firearm regulation.
On 4 October 2024, the MOD announced that all firearms and ammunition provided to civilians for self-defence must be returned to the Government by 7 November 2024.
This decision was made under the authority granted to the Secretary of Defence by Sections 6(1) and 6(2) of the Firearms Ordinance No.33 of 1916, allowing for the temporary acquisition of firearms by the Government. The ministry emphasised that these firearms would be reissued after a thorough review process, having assessed the necessity for civilians to retain such weapons.
Following the initial announcement, the MOD extended the surrender deadline to 21 November 2024 in order to accommodate civilians who required additional time to comply. By 10 November, approximately 400 firearms had been surrendered, reflecting a proactive response from the public. As of 19 December 2024, the ministry reported that about 85% of licensees had returned their firearms, indicating substantial compliance with the directive.
Appeals and review process
Civilians wishing to retain their firearms were instructed to submit appeals to the MOD by 30 October 2024 detailing their reasons for continued possession. Those who filed appeals were required to present relevant documentation along with their firearms for inspection and review.
The ministry stipulated that only one firearm per person would be reissued for personal protection, contingent upon a comprehensive evaluation, including intelligence reports.
The review of all appeals and firearm inspections was scheduled to conclude by 20 January. Licensees were urged to submit their firearms for inspection before this date to ensure compliance and avoid legal repercussions.
The MOD has been unequivocal in its stance on non-compliance. Legal action under the Firearms Ordinance No.33 of 1916 is set to be initiated against licensees who fail to surrender their firearms for inspection by the stipulated deadline.
Revelations of missing military weapons
Amidst the civilian firearm surrender initiative, disturbing information has come to light regarding missing military-grade weapons.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had earlier revealed that 73 T56 assault rifles from a Sri Lanka Army camp had fallen into the hands of underworld groups, sparking serious concerns over national security. The President criticised the previous administration for creating widespread disorder across various sectors, which he suggested had contributed to the current security lapse.
Police Spokesperson SSP Buddhika Manatunga informed The Sunday Morning that authorities had successfully recovered 36 of the stolen weapons, while the remaining firearms were still unaccounted for. Additionally, 13 soldiers have been apprehended in connection with the incident.
“We arrested an Army Major General and 13 soldiers, and we have presented them before courts for prosecution,” he said.
According to SSP Manatunga, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had taken the lead in probing the missing weapons and recovering those that have been trafficked to criminal networks.
“This month, we have recovered three T56 rifles so far while conducting investigations into some of the shooting incidents that had been carried out. Our investigations also revealed that the remaining shootings were carried out using 9 mm weapons,” he said.
Stemming underworld’s access to firearms
The CID is working to trace the chain of custody of military weapons and identify weaknesses in security protocols that allowed them to go missing.
Separately, the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) is conducting targeted operations to identify underworld gangs and halt the proliferation of illegal firearms, according to SSP Manatunga.
“Our inquiries into recent shootings revealed how underworld groups accessed these weapons. This information is helping us trace their sources and tighten control measures.
“While the CCD focuses on dismantling underworld networks, the CID is working to trace the chain of custody of military weapons and identify weaknesses in security protocols that allowed them to go missing,” Manatunga said.
The ministry’s role
The firearm surrender initiative itself is a MOD-led effort, with the Secretary of Defence holding sole authority to issue orders for firearm surrender under the Firearms Ordinance.
Once firearms are surrendered to Divisional Secretariat offices, they are deposited in the Central Weapons Armoury, where law enforcement agencies are informed of the inventory. Manatunga claimed that the number of weapons surrendered would only be notified to the Police once deposited in the Central Weapons Armoury.
This centralised system aims to ensure that firearms surrendered during the campaign are properly accounted for and reissued only after thorough vetting. However, the MOD, when contacted, informed that investigations were ongoing and revelations could not be made pending the final outcome of those investigations.
Impact and way forward
While the firearm surrender campaign has been met with significant compliance, the broader issue of weapon proliferation remains a critical challenge.
The recovery of T56 rifles from underworld groups and their use in recent shootings illustrate the risks posed by gaps in weapon security and accountability. Although a separate matter from the stolen weapons, the cooperation displayed by civilians signifies trust bestowed on the authorities.
The Government’s decision to recall firearms is a step in the right direction, but it must arguably be accompanied by enhanced measures to monitor and secure military and civilian arsenals. Regular audits of military weapon stockpiles, stringent controls on firearm issuance, and stronger intelligence-gathering to track illegal arms trafficking are vital components of this effort.
As the Ministry of Defence concludes its review of surrendered weapons, the next phase will likely focus on enforcing compliance, prosecuting defaulters, and ensuring tighter regulation of firearm possession. For law enforcement agencies like the CID and CCD, the mission to curb illegal firearms and dismantle underworld networks continues to be a priority.