News
Defence Ministry cracks down: Return firearms now or face legal action
The Ministry of Defence has warned that legal action will be initiated against individuals who fail to return firearms and ammunition by Dec 31. Legal proceedings are set to commence on Jan 1, 2025, under the Firearms Ordinance No. 33 of 1916, according to ministry sources.
The ministry has noted that a substantial quantity of firearms and ammunition was issued in the past by the Army and Police, in addition to those distributed to civilians for personal protection purposes, according to sources.
In an announcement on Thursday, the ministry instructed the public to return all firearms and ammunition to the government before the specified deadline.
On Oct 24, the ministry issued a public announcement via electronic and print media, instructing civilians to return all firearms issued for personal protection by Nov 21, 2024, for a quantitative review. It stated: “All license holders must return their firearms and ammunition to the government’s Commercial Explosives Storage Facility in Welisara before Novrmber 7.” Following this notice, approximately 85% of license holders complied and handed over their firearms.
Licensees who wished to retain their firearms were required to submit appeals to the Ministry of Defence by Oct 30, explaining their necessity. Those who appealed were further directed to provide relevant documentation along with their firearms for inspection and review.
The Ministry has decided that only one firearm will be issued per individual for personal protection, subject to approval based on intelligence reports. All appeals and firearm inspections are expected to conclude by Jan 20, 2025. Licensees are urged to submit their firearms for inspection before this date.
Considering observations regarding the issuance of firearms by security forces, the Ministry has reiterated its call for all firearms and ammunition to be returned.
In the latest Defence Ministry announcement, the public was advised to hand over these items to the nearest police station without delay.
The Defence Ministry emphasized that these measures aim to ensure public safety by reducing the prevalence and misuse of firearms in civilian hands and enforcing stricter regulations. Legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the Ministry’s directives by Jan 20, 2025.
The Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development has recommended the establishment of Sri Lankan Standards, i.e. the import testing methodology for imported tires used for passenger cars and pneumatic tires for three-wheelers with the aim of ensuring a fair competitive environment for local
manufactures and ensuring consumer safety and security.
Taking into the said recommendations, “Import and Export (control regulations N0.08 of the 2026)” has been enacted to amend the existing regulations by means of the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2508/27 dated 2026-10-01, prescribing Sri Lanka standard 1212 for the import of passenger types (HS Code 4011.10.90) and Sri Lanka standard 1347 for the import of
pneumatic tires for three – wheeled vehicles (HS Code 4011.90.10).
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to submit the aforementioned regulations to Parliament for approval.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 02.06.2025 to introduce a new act to promote and providing legal provisions for facilitating the Public Private Joint Enterprises within Sri Lanka as well as the establishment of the National Agency for Public Private Partnership Joint Enterprises.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the relevant draft bill and the Attorney General has given his clearance to the said draft bill.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the said
draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby submit it to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Regulation, development and control of indigenous medical sector in Sri Lanka comprised of Ayurvedha, Sidhdha, Unani, Local Therapies are carried out under the provisions of Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961.
Although amendments were made to the act from time to time as per the requirements, the necessity of further amending the Ayurvedha Act has been identified to enable efficiently maintaining all activities of local medical field productively, further formalizing the regulation of the sector, taking actions to providing licenses applicable to export of local medicines, and achieving the progress and sustainable development goals in the local medical sector.
Based on the said factors, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to direct the Legal Draftsman to formulate a draft bill to amend the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961.
Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 08 of 2026
Draft Bill of the Public Private Partnership Enterprises Act to be gazzetted
Amendment of the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961
Cabinet nod to amend the Sri Lanka Development Administration Institute Act No. 9 of 1982
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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