## Summary
Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha submitted a detailed written question to the Minister of Defence concerning the regulatory framework governing commercial explosives in Sri Lanka. The question addresses two broad areas: first, the legislative and administrative arrangements, including anticipated amendments to existing explosives laws, storage and issuance procedures, the designations of responsible officers, and the status of the Controller of Explosives post, which she indicates may currently be vacant, along with concerns about succession planning for that role. Second, she seeks specific data and oversight information relating to commercial explosives licensing, including the number of licences issued versus active licensees, the licensing procedure, regulatory oversight mechanisms, private storage facilities and their security arrangements, and the quantity of explosives permitted per issuance to a licensee.
Question to the Minister of Defence:
(a) Will he inform this House—
(i) the sectors in which the existing laws pertaining to the use of explosives for commercial purposes are expected to be amended;
(ii) the procedures adopted for the storage and issuance of explosives;
(iii) the designations of the officers who implement these procedures;
(iv) if Assistant Officers in charge of districts have been appointed for this purpose, the role of the said officers;
(v) whether the post of Controller of Explosives remains vacant at present;
(vi) whether action will be taken to fill this vacancy; and
(vii) the reasons for not preparing second-tier officers for the above post?
(b) Will he also inform this House—
(i) separately, the number of licences for explosives that have been issued on a commercial basis and the number of active licensees at present;
(ii) the procedure adopted in issuing those licences;
(iii) whether those licences are regulated;
(iv) the private facilities used for the storage of explosives;
(v) the steps that have been taken for their security; and
(vi) the quantity of explosives issued to a licensee at a time?
(c) If not, why?