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The Government will offer an amnesty next week to recover a large number of automatic weapons and explosives which are now in the hands of politicians and criminals.

Interior Minister John Amaratunga said the government will set up special units to receive unlicensed automatic assault rifles, revolvers, grenades and explosives held illegally. Details of the amnesty will be announced later this week.

"After the amnesty, we will launch a major crackdown to get the illegal weapons which contribute to the massive crime wave today," Minister Amaratunga said. More than 25,000 firearms are believed to be in illegal circulation.

The Minister also said the government has taken maximum possible steps to stop post-election violence. Special Police teams have already been dispatched to five districts where such incidents have been reported.

No mass scale acts of post-election violence had taken place as alleged by the People's Alliance, the Minister added.

Investigations are also underway to investigate the alleged conspiracy to assassinate Minister S.B. Dissanayake.

Inspector General of Police Lucky Kodituwakku said 407 acts of violence have been reported after the election. Steps have been taken to arrest the culprits.

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