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Stemming illegal arms flows

It is with renewed hope and optimism that we greet the news that a National Commission on Firearms has been appointed by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. The wish of the majority of the people is likely to be that this time round, the effort to keep the circulation of small arms in society strictly within legal bounds would be successful.

Likewise, we hope the Commission would prove effective in the urgent task of rounding-up illegal weapons, which is turning out to be a thorny problem for the Lankan polity.

As we pen these lines, a Western Provincial Council member lies slain in his vehicle. He was apparently shot nine times by his killer, presumably with lethal small arms. This is yet another killing which speaks eloquently of the worsening law and order problems, growing out of the widespread availability of illegal firearms. It is said that in the arms bazaars of the South Asian region, an AK 47 assault rifle changes hands for a chicken. A lethal firearm costs so little in a region where human life is proving increasingly cheap. No one with the interests of Sri Lanka at heart would wish that this country too would drift dangerously in this direction.

However, the fact cannot be dismissed out of hand that the problem of illegal arms in Sri Lanka is taking on troubling proportions. The problem, of course, has been gravely compounded by the sizeable army desertions which have contributed towards the increase in illegal arms.

Let's not, however, approach the problem in a pessimistic frame of mind. Decisive and consistent official action to stem the flow of illegal arms is likely to yield rich dividends. The National Commission on Firearms should leave no stone unturned in its efforts to stem the rot. The President and the public expect the Commission to proceed steadily ahead with its mandate of making Sri Lanka a safer place to live in.

The problem of illegal arms exploded to the surface in the late Eighties when some ruling party politicians of those times were issued fire arms for their personal safety. These were to be returned within a stipulated time frame but the program ran aground due to a weak-kneed approach to implementing it. Subsequently, these arms were found to play a major role in the "Reign of Terror" which followed.

Our purpose in delving into the past is to illustrate the ill-effects of inaction by the law and order authorities of those times. We cannot afford to allow the illegal arms situation to get out of hand, as in the past, because of its grave law and order implications.

Politicians need to cooperate fully with the authorities in tracking-down illegal arms. They must keep criminals at bay.

Hello, 118

Most countries have an easy-to-remember three digit 'hotline' number on which citizens can contact all emergency services, particularly the police. The switchboard operators answer the call and direct the relevant agency to the place in question to render any assistance required. The system is so efficient that police, paramedics, fire teams etc rush to the spot within minutes of the call.

At last, Sri Lankan authorities too have started an emergency helpline. The 24-hour hotline, 118, will be operated from October 20 by the Defence Ministry to receive complaints and information on crimes that occur anywhere in the country. A 'National Service Room' will receive the calls and page the information to the relevant agencies immediately.

This was a long-felt need, especially in view of the soaring crime rate. The public will be able to give information, confidentially, in all three languages on any crime - murder, kidnapping, child abuse, damage to property, use of illegal firearms, acts of bribery or corruption. Details of accidents will also be taken down. The service is absolutely free, from any phone line.

We have often witnessed a delay in police action after crimes. In most cases, this is not really due to police inaction. There is often a delay in reporting a crime to the police by third parties, ex. witnesses. Most members of the public are unaware of the numbers on which the police in their area can be contacted. The fact that calls to the previous emergency number was charged may also have led to a reluctance to call the police.

The new number, on the other hand, remedies all these faults in one stroke. It is easy to remember, can be accessed free of charge from any part of the island on any line and action is promised within a matter of minutes. It will help move of the wheels of the law faster.

The police do need a state-of-the-art communications network to facilitate its drive against crime. It is no secret that underworld gangs possess the latest communications gear. The new hotline will augment the police communications network, helping them to solve - and prevent - crimes expeditiously.

The authorities should be on guard against hoax calls to 118. Unfortunately, some individuals revel in the derisive practice of giving false alarms to emergency numbers. Such actions waste the time and resources of emergency services and law enforcement authorities. It may even deviate their attention from an actual scene of a crime or accident. Stern action should be taken against such hoaxers if they are caught.

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