COLOMBO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Firearms, ammunition, and equipment owned by foreign private maritime security companies must now be stored in Sri Lanka Navy armories under strict naval supervision, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake informed parliament on Tuesday.
In a letter to parliament, read out by the speaker, Dissanayake said the measure is intended to strengthen oversight and ensure the secure management of weapons used in maritime security operations.
Agents of the private maritime security companies may retrieve the stored firearms, ammunition, and equipment for transport and use in line with regulations, the president said.
He added that the cabinet recently approved a proposal authorizing the Sri Lanka Navy to independently conduct maritime security operations at key regional ports under the supervision of the Ministry of Defense. ■
