Commander of the Navy meets controllers of explosive materials in the country

Commander of the Navy held a meeting with the manufacturers and distributors of explosive materials in the country, at the Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake Auditorium on 29^th April.

Having welcomed the Additional Secretary for Civil Security and Development at the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Douglas, officials of Kelani Fire Works and Government Arms and Ammunition Depot, controllers and distributors of explosive materials and rest of the invitees, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva enlightened them on the harmful implications of explosive items that are being used by illegal means, especially in the backdrop of the prevailing security concern of the country.

Further, the Navy Commander expressed that only the licensed stakeholders are permitted to obtain explosive materials from the Commercial Explosive Fire Arms Procurement Unit (CEFAP) in Welisara, through a clear procedure. However, he further opined that known or unknown to the licensed stakeholders some of these explosive materials reach unauthorized partners in the country and such items are widely used for illegal acts, ranging from illegal fishing to numerous other destructive activities.

The water gel is a form of high explosive material which is used as a substitute to gelignite and is distributed through the licensed controllers for quarrying stones. Meanwhile, the Navy managed to seize a large number of water gel across the country in the recent times. As such, 59kg of water gel in year 2017, 94kg of water gel in year 2018 and 72kg of water gel thus far in year 2019 have been taken into custody.

Meanwhile, the security forces and the Police had managed to seize large quantities of water gel explosives, during raids conducted in areas where there are connections to the terrorists who carried out a series of suicide attacks on the Easter Sunday (21^st April).

He further emphasized that stern action would be taken against the persons who supply these explosive materials to unauthorized agents, irrespective of their status.