Arms surrender deadline to Muslim groups in the east extended

[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 July 2009, 09:28 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry Wednesday extended the deadline given to Muslim armed groups in the east to surrender their weapons to the security forces, by two more days. The deadline issued earlier was to expire on July 2. The deadline has been extended following requests made by parties concerned, police sources said.

Police said a special committee has been formed to accept firearms and other weapons from these Muslim armed groups within the stipulated period. These groups could surrender their weapons to this committee through Mosque Federations in the area before 3 p.m. on July 4, Eastern Regional Deputy Inspector General of Police, Edison Gunatilake, said in Batticaloa Wednesday.

According to a report submitted by the Police, there are eighteen Muslim armed groups in Kaaththankudi alone, in Batticaloa district.