Sri Lanka police grant time to hand over illegal weapons

Sri Lankan police on Monday said a time period had been granted to the public to surrender illegal weapons after several swords, knives and sharp daggers were found from homes and places of worship during raids conducted in recent weeks.

The police said in a statement that anyone possessing illegal weapons could hand it over to their nearest police station on Monday and Tuesday and urged the public to corporate.

The police said that in search operations launched nationwide following the Easter explosions on April 21, police had seized several swords and other illegal weapons from homes and places of worship. Several people were arrested for possessing these weapons.

Police said extensive operations would continue to hunt for explosives, weapons, terrorists, hideouts and other items.

Sri Lanka has been on high alert since the Easter Sunday explosions which killed over 250 people and injured over 500.

The blasts targeted three churches and luxury hotels.

President Maithripala Sirisena said last week that security forces would hunt down all those involved in the attacks and every house in the island country could be checked for the safety of all Sri Lankans.