A total of 891 illegal firearms have been taken into police custody from January 1 to September 17 this year, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Speaking during the weekly Cabinet media briefing today, Minister Jayatissa said police officers have seized 891 firearms during the period from January 1 to September 17, including 14 T-56 assault rifles, 33 pistols and 25 revolvers.
He also said that police operations conducted last year resulted in the seizure of 2,404 firearms, including 74 T-56 rifles.
Providing further details, Minister Jayatissa said that 35 organized shooting incidents had been reported since the beginning of the year, with a total of 40 shooting incidents recorded during the period.
He added that 22 people had been killed as a result of these shooting incidents.
