Media Spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera says that a total of 423 firearms were handed over to authorities during the amnesty period declared by the Defence Ministry to return illegal weapons.
The amnesty period was in effect from April 25 and ended yesterday (May 06) while during the period illegal weapons were handed over to the nearest Divisional Secretariat, District Secretary offices and police stations.
He stated that a majority of illegal weapons had been handed over in the Gampaha Disitrct with over 100 firearms surrendered.
The Defence Ministry had announced that during the amnesty period, persons returning the weapon will not be subjected to any fines for holding a weapon.
Compensations of Rs. 5,000 for a Gun or similar kind (Gal Katas/ Badina Thuwakku), Rs. 10,000 for a pistol or for a revolver and Rs. 25,000 for a T-56 weapon were offered to the persons retuning the weapons.
A special search operation is to be carried out after the May 06 to arrest persons holding illegal weapon in their possession.
