Former MPs Ordered to Return All Firearms

News Today: All firearms belonging to former Parliamentarians to be returned

The Ministry of Defence has instructed all former Parliamentarians to return weapons and ammunition that had been issued to them for personal protection. A senior defence official told Legacy Daily that parliamentary authorities have sent letters to former MPs, asking them to return any firearms they possess.

It has been revealed that over 100 of the 225 MPs in the recently dissolved Parliament received weapons for personal security. This directive follows the previous government’s decision to allow former MPs to retain at least two firearms due to the rising violence in the country.

Former Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardana addressed the media in August 2024, prior to the Presidential Election, explaining the policy. The government had permitted ex-MPs to keep weapons in light of increasing security threats. However, the new mandate from the Ministry of Defence now requires all such firearms to be returned.