Proliferation of illicit firearms triggers crime wave

Three days ago, a man was shot dead in broad daylight opposite the Mahara Magistrate’s Court. There were dozens of witnesses. Two weapons, a T-56 and a 9mm pistol, were used in a gruesome murder which showed illicit weapons are still in circulation.

On June 17, a second General Amnesty (GA) of the Government for the surrender of illicit firearms came to an end. Statistics show that 529 weapons were surrendered during the first GA, while the second GA reeled in 88. (A cash incentive was offered the first time).

Experts remain sceptical of the effectiveness of such programmes. As was obvious from Thursday’s killing, firearms used in organised crime are rarely turned in. It is not known how many illicit weapons are in circulation. Even officials admit that most of the surrendered pieces were old ones, passed down through generas- tions.

There is no centralised mechanism to enumerate the number of weapons surrendered to authorities or recovered, while there is a reluctance to release data to the public for security reasons.

Postwar Sri Lanka has a thriving trade in illicit small arms, intelligence sources confirmed to the Sunday Times. Most are brought to the South from former conflict zones through third parties with links to former combatants who have access to such weapons.

“The price of an automatic weapon varies from Rs. 50,000 to 100,000, subject to the condition of the weapon and the buyer involved,” a senior intelligence source said on condition of anonymity. “Presently, the price of a T-56 weapon in the underworld is between Rs 75,000 and Rs 150,000.”

Some criminals also hire out weapons on contract basis. Payments for such contracts vary according to the motive of the crime. Weapons are mostly transported in luxury vehicles hired for this purpose, similar to the transport of illicit drugs. The identification numbers of these weapons are filed off and some weapons are modified.

Military deserters who had access to armories have also removed weapons and sold or even hired them out to various underworld elements, intelligence officers have found. Deserters from the Army alone exceed 30,000-- quite apart from those of the Navy, Air Force, Civil Defence Force and Police.

It is not only deserters who are engaged

To reduce the number of such firearms, the public must be vigilant and provide as much information as possible to the police," the former SDIG said. "This is a difficult task, given the image the police have as one of the country’s most corrupt institutions," he admitted. People were afraid to provide information, fearing their information would be leaked to the criminals."

in the sale of illicit firearms. In March this year, two serving soldiers from two military installations in Colombo were arrested for allegedly selling T-56 firearms. It is alleged they sold as many as five T-56 weapons at Rs 200,000 each.

The success of GAs for illicit firearms is limited for several reasons, sources said. First, the cash reward offered was much less than the street value of the weapon. For instance, the Government offered Rs 25,000 for a T-56 weapon surrendered during the first GA, as opposed to the Rs 150,000 it would fetch in the black market.

Second, those who have used firearms to carry out a crime will not hand them over, as the authorities could link them to the crime, the intelligence source said. Another factor is that, the trade in illicit arms has now become a lifeline to these elements.

Measures such as enhancing interna- tional and regional cooperation, amendments to existing laws and introduction of new ones, and strengthening of intelligence networks must be implemented to tackle the prevalence of illicit firearms. “Additionally, the rewards system for surrendered firearms needs to be reviewed,” a senior intelligence source said.

"During the 1987-89 JVP insurgency, authorities had issued firearms to politicians, ostensibly to fight the militants," said former Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, H.M.G.B. Kotakadeniya. In reality, many politicians went on a killing spree with the same weapons against their personal enemies.

"Many of these firearms were never recovered," Mr. Kotakadeniya said. Worse, the Defence Ministry has no record of how many firearms were issued and to whom. “It was all done very hap- hazardly and without a proper system,” he recounted. "Those who took such weapons will not return them, as they have killed with them," he stressed.

"To reduce the number of such firearms, the public must be vigilant and provide as much information as possible to the police," the former SDIG said. "This is a difficult task, given the image the police have as one of the country’s most corrupt institutions," he admitted. People were afraid to provide information, fearing their information would be leaked to the criminals."

"The police will have to retool its image with a view to rebuilding trust. This would be difficult, given the various scandals involving police officers in recent times," he concluded. “The situation will deteriorate further, unless concrete steps are taken to effect reforms,” he warned.