Firearms  & Explosives Act- NO 1133/13

The Explosive Act- NO 1133/13 Wednesday, May 2000 (The Gazette of the Sri Lanka). 

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.

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.

Private Security Agencies

1. Registration procedure

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.

2. Training courses for security personnel

The Ministry of Defence, Public security, Law and Order, Civil Security Division, conducts regular training programmes for all grades of security personnel of The Government, Departments / Corporations / Banks and the Private Security Organizations in basic security duties and handing and firing of the shotgun

Repeater Shotgun and Pistol.

Courses are residential and of 14 days and 5 days duration conducted at our newly built training center at Kaluthara which is well equipped and furnished to make your stay comfortable and homely

A nominal fee of Rs.3800.00 for a 14 day training course and Rs. 1600.00 for a 5 day training course levied to meet the overhead expenses for food, accommodation, lecture fee and other miscellaneous expenses.

Lectures are conducted in the English and Sinhalese languages by a panel of lectures who are well qualified and experienced in this field, on subjects such as

1. a) Fire protection and Fire fighting.
2. b) First Aid
3. c) Power of arrest, Search and the right o private Defence
4. d) Security Duties and Documents.
5. e) Security persons and Premises
6. f) Public relation
7. g) Weapon handling and Live Firing
8. h) The Bomb Threat
9. i) Vehicle Searching
10. j) Discipline and Change of Attitudes

For further information contact 011-2430860 up to 79 Ext 225, e mail :This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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