Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera

The Deputy Minister of Defence introduced amendments targeting drug trafficking in Sri Lankan maritime zones, explaining that traffickers exploit the high seas beyond the country's Exclusive Economic Zone through transfers between mother ships and multi-day fishing vessels. He rejected allegations linking NPP MPs in Puttalam to drug traffickers, stating that credible evidence should be formally submitted. The Deputy Minister identified key legal gaps, including the misuse of attorney powers to shield vessel owners from prosecution and the deliberate disabling of Vessel Monitoring Systems once vessels leave the EEZ, and proposed stronger laws to criminalise such conduct and enable interdictions. He also outlined a proposal to streamline drug destruction procedures by allowing bulk seizures to be destroyed promptly under Magistrate supervision following sampling, rather than being held in long-term storage.

The Deputy Minister of Defence explained the government's process for evaluating and compensating owners for firearms acquired by the state. He outlined that a multi-agency committee — comprising representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, the Government Analyst's Department, and the tri-forces — assesses each firearm's value, with the refund to the owner calculated after deducting taxes, departmental fees, and accounting for the weapon's age, condition, and depreciation, in accordance with government financial policy.

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera reported on a government review of firearms issued for personal protection, conducted between 20 November 2024 and 1 January 2025. The review aims to regulate such firearms by limiting individuals to one firearm each. He acknowledged significant administrative deficiencies from past issuances, including incomplete records and untraced firearms, and stated that the government is taking steps to regularize the system, drawing on international best practices from developed countries.

## Summary Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera responded to a parliamentary question on civilian firearm licensing on behalf of the Minister of Defence. He confirmed that firearm licences continue to be issued to civilians across several categories — including cultivation, property, and personal protection, sports, and for public representatives — under the Firearms Ordinance No. 33 of 1916 and No. 22 of 1996, with security clearances required from Sri Lanka Police and the Chief of National Intelligence. He acknowledged that delays in processing can occur depending on the category and clearance procedures. The Deputy Minister further outlined legislative reform efforts, noting that Cabinet approval was granted on 1 April 2025 to introduce a new Firearms Act to replace the 1916 Ordinance, with planned amendments covering updated penalties, revised licence fees (last set in 1992 and 1995), ministerial regulations, and a prohibition on firearm use in public places, all of which have been considered by the National Security Council.

Deputy Minister of Defence Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera concluded remarks by highlighting measures taken to ensure the continuity of essential services and the efficient distribution of foreign-donated goods to the public. He called on Parliament to approve the regulations under discussion.

## Summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera presented six instruments for parliamentary approval — three Special Commodity Levy (SCL) regulations, one Customs Ordinance resolution, and two further orders — framed around the government's objectives of macroeconomic stability, market competitiveness, and protection of domestic production. He contrasted the current administration's disciplined, evidence-based approach to tax policy with what he characterised as ad hoc concessions granted in 2020, including the "sugar tax scam," which he argued caused significant revenue losses and economic instability. Jayasekera highlighted Sri Lanka Customs exceeding its revenue target by approximately Rs. 395 billion (recording Rs. 2,510 billion against a target of Rs. 2,115 billion) and cited IMF Managing Director recognition of Sri Lanka's economic progress, including GDP growth above 5 percent and inflation reduced to approximately 2 percent. One of the SCL regulations specifically provides customs exemptions for relief goods donated by 35 countries — valued at approximately Rs. 3.1 billion, including around 340 metric tons of food — following the "Ditva" cyclone, with distribution coordinated through the Disaster Management Centre, Government Agents, and Divisional Secretaries. He urged the House to approve all six instruments.

The speaker, responding to a member's query, outlined government measures to regulate chemicals identified as threats to national security. Of 15 chemicals identified, regulatory powers over 8 have already been assigned to relevant institutions, while a Cabinet Memorandum has been submitted to vest authority over the remaining 7 chemicals in the National Authority for the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Ministry of Defence is leading efforts to draft legislation to comprehensively regulate nationally security-sensitive chemicals, addressing a longstanding gap in having a designated lead institution for this purpose.

Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera reported that 15 chemicals posing high risks to national security have been identified, of which 8 are already regulated — 7 by the Controller of Explosives and 1 by the Office of the Registrar of Pesticides. He announced that the remaining 7 unregulated chemicals will be placed under the oversight of the National Authority for the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, operating under the Ministry of Defence, to address existing regulatory gaps.

## Summary Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera responded on behalf of the Minister of Defence to a parliamentary question regarding the regulation and storage of explosives in Sri Lanka. He outlined the administrative framework under the **Explosives Act No. 21 of 1956** and its amendments, whereby the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence serves as Controller of Explosives, supported by appointed Deputy Controllers, Assistant Controllers, and police officers of Sergeant rank or above acting as Explosives Inspectors. He confirmed that 13 Assistant Controllers are currently deployed across districts covering the entire island, and clarified that no designation of "Controller of Fireworks" exists. As of 30 November 2025, the Ministry had issued a total of **2,179 licences and permits** across various categories, including import, supply, manufacturing, and fireworks, with 33 explosives stores under direct police guard and the remainder supervised by the nearest police station. Four annexes detailing operational procedures and duties were tabled in Parliament.

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera reported on developments following the restoration of operational powers to the Navy. He stated that since November, the Navy has conducted 354 operations at USD 1,750 per operation, generating over USD 620,000 in revenue. A key reform highlighted was that 100% of USD earnings now flows to the Consolidated Fund, compared to only approximately 19.25% previously reaching the State, with the joint venture's access to Navy armories having been terminated and related legal proceedings currently before the Supreme Court.