By: Isuru Parakrama
September 30, Colombo (LNW): Former members of parliament have been instructed to return the pistols issued to them for personal security to the Ministry of Defence immediately, according to informed sources.
Separate letters have been sent by parliamentary authorities to former MPs who had been issued firearms, requesting their prompt return.
It has been reported that more than 100 MPs from the recently dissolved parliament were provided with pistols as part of personal protection measures.
This development comes after the previous government allowed former MPs to retain at least two firearms, citing the need for heightened security due to rising violence across the country.
In a media briefing held in August before the presidential election, then Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardana confirmed the policy, stating that the government’s decision was aimed at addressing the growing concerns over safety and violence.
The initiative was introduced as a precautionary measure in light of the increasing incidents of unrest, particularly targeting politicians.
However, uncertainty looms over whether the current government will maintain this policy.
While the former administration’s decision was met with some approval, the new leadership has yet to announce if it will continue to allow former parliamentarians to keep their firearms.
Defence officials have emphasised the need for compliance, stressing that the collection of the pistols is an important step in managing the nation’s security landscape under the new government.
The retrieval of these weapons is seen as part of a broader initiative to review and reform security policies introduced by previous administrations.
