Implementation of the Provisions of the Firearms Ordinance
Issue of gun licences
Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order has become the licensing Authority in issuing gun licences.
Issuing of firearms within the Island is being made mainly under Five categories which are mentioned below. However the Ministry is adopting a serious screening process and very strict procedure in granting licences to use firearms in the best interest of the Civil Security.
i. Issue of licence for firearms for the purpose of crop protection.
ii. Issue of licences for firearms for the purpose of self - defence and the protection of property.
iii. Issue of licences for firearms for the purpose of Sports.
iv. Issue of licences for firearms for Private Security Agencies & the Public Institutions.
v. Issues of licences for state-owned firearms for Parliamentarians.
A scheme for provision of shotguns for the purpose of crop protection is presently in progress. This scheme operated in liaison with the District Secretaries / Government Agencies and the firearms for crop protection are issued on their recommendation. Nearly two thousand licences have been issued during the year 2002. The Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order adopts a very strict policy regarding the issue of firearms for the purpose of self-defence. Accordingly a minimum number of licensces was issued to the persons who needed self-defence in genuinely.
Firearms are also authorized for the purpose of sports on recommendation by the National Rifle Association. Accordingly listed number of new licences was issued to the members of this Association for these sport activities.
Firearms are authorized for the Private Security Agencies too under very strict conditions. The criteria, in this aspect are the transportation of cash of the institutions that the services are provided by the relevant security agencies. Accordingly, a very limited number of new firearms were authorized to the Security Agencies who engaged in cash transport.
Authorization of official firearms to the people Representatives for the purpose of their self-defence is a procedure practiced for a long time. Accordingly, issue of official firearms and the licences to the people representatives who needed them for the first time was carried out by this Division.
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Control of Explosives
Activities relating to control of Explosives.
In terms of the provisions of the Explosives Ordinance No. 21 of 1956, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order functions as the Controller of Explosives while one Deputy Controller of Explosives attached to the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order performs duties under him. Ten Assistant Controllers of Explosives attached to District Secretariats throughout the country to assist the Deputy Controller of Explosives. Under this project all the permits and licences issued for the use of commercial explosives in the Quarry Industry, Firework Industry and Match Industry are controlled and monitored in liaison with the District Secretaries / Government Agents.
Commercial Explosives required for the above industries were issued during the year 2002 without any shortages and to was monitored. The requirements for new development projects were also fulfilled. A seminar to create an awareness among all the firework Industrialists of the country and to provide of guidance was held at Katana Divisional Secretariat in Gampaha.
By virtue of the powers vested in the Controller of Explosives under the Ports Authority Act permits for shipments which entered into the harbour and returned, reshipments and unloading of dangerous cargo in the harbour were issued.
Initial steps were taken to present a draft amending the ordinance in order on to enhance the punishments imposed on the use of unauthorized Explosives with the intention of preventing such acts and also to meet some administrative requirements.
Assessed the requirements of commercial explosives in the year 2002 and arranged to procure such Commercial Explosives, Firearms and ammunitions through the Sri Lanka Navy for the year 2003. ^ Top
Implementation of the Provisions of the Regulation of the Private Security Agencies Act No.45 of 1998
Laws to regulate the Private Security Agencies Act No. 45 of 1998 and the Regulations made under that Act and published in the Extra-ordinary Gazette No. 1105/27 of 12th Nov. 1999 were given legal effect on 01st January 2002. Since these carrying out of Private Security Agencies, as a business, without registering under this Ministry is illegal. The implementation of this Act is now vested in the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order.
Under the above laws and Regulations, a legal basis has been established to act upon the establishment and carry on the business of Private Security by Private Security Agencies and also to control training and to evaluate the quality of employees of such establishments. The policy to be adopted for the firearms training that should be given to the cadres in these Agencies was formulated by the Ministry.
With the new Agencies registered during the year, 209 Private Security Agencies were issued licences as at the end of the year 2002.
Since there is a legal framework which controls the Private Security Industry, the Government could enforce better standards for the Industry, which now provides Security to the State Departments, Corporations, Authorities, Bank and Private Sector enterprises. ^ Top
Rating Security Clearance for the Importation of Communication equipments.
The Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order liaises with the Director General of Telecommunications in granting clearance for the importation of communication equipment and other accessories for various communication projects, subject to requirements of National Security.
Training in Security
Implementation & Control of the Security Training Project.
The objective of this project is to provide the required training to Security Guards of Private Security Agencies to ensure the maintenance of the security of commercial & Technical Institutions.
The Home Guard Training camp situated at Kumbuka has been acquired by the Presidential Security Division for their urgent needs during the year 2002. Consequently, due to the non-availability of a Training center for Home Guards temporary training was conducted at the Home Guard Training Camp situated at Kalpitiya and Mihintale. 106 Home Guards who have been employed in Private Security Institutions underwent training during the year 2002.
To fulfill the need of a permanent Training Center a school building situated at Serupita was acquired by the Ministry during the year 2002.
Security Training activities are being carried out under the direct supervision of the Director of Training. This post is vacant at present and duties being performed by the Head of the Home Guard Service.
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Home Guard Service
Activities relating to the Home Guard Service established under the Mobilization of Supplementary Force Act No. 40 of 1985.
This force established under the provisions on the Mobilization of Supplementary Force Act in the year 1984, comprised 20260 members at the end of the year 2002.
Home Guard Service which formed as a supplementary force to support & assist the three forces and the police service has performed an exemplary service by protecting border affected villages and the Main Supply Routes.
This Ministry is engaged in facilitating the Home Guard Service under the provisions of the above Act, providing them with uniforms, equipment and vehicles etc. required and improving physical assets. Further, the Ministry is attending to their administration matters.
Home Guards perform their duties during the period of the present ceasefire as usual and they were given continued training during the year 2002 at Kalpitiya, Mihintale and Ampara Training camps.
The compensation scheme for the Home Guard personnel who died or became disabled while in action, was effected on 01.03.1998. Approval of the Cabinet for antedating these payments with effect from 19.06.1986 was obtained during the year 2002. ^ Top |
