The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I answer on behalf of the Minister of Defence.

¶ 02 (a) (i) In accordance with Cabinet Decision No. AMP/25/1780/803/050 dated 2025.10.08, further action is being taken. (ii) Under the Explosives Act, No. 21 of 1956, its amendments, and the regulations and orders issued thereunder, storage and issuance of explosives are carried out pursuant to Circular 01/2024 issued by the Secretary, Ministry of Defence, acting as Controller of Explosives. (Details in Annex 01.) (iii) For the purposes of the Act, the Secretary, Ministry of Defence functions as Controller of Explosives. Each Additional Secretary and a Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry act as Deputy Controllers; each Assistant Secretary acts as an Assistant Controller. Officers appointed as Deputy Controllers and Assistant Controllers perform duties under the Act. Every police officer not below the rank of Sergeant is empowered as an Explosives Inspector. (iv) Assistant Controllers have been assigned to districts; currently 13 cover the entire island. Their duties are set out in Annex 02. A Deputy Controller is appointed to supervise these officers. Duties of the Deputy Controller are in Annex 03. (v) There is no post titled “Controller of Explosives” as a separate cadre position; the Secretary, Ministry of Defence serves in that capacity under the Act. (vi) Not applicable. (vii) Does not arise.

¶ 03 (b) (i) Numbers as at 2025.11.30 (district-wise details annexed): - Explosives import licences: 58 - Other suppliers’ licences: 514 - Explosives permits: 1,355 - Fireworks manufacturing licences: 232 - Explosives manufacturing licences: 08 - Matchbox manufacturing permits: 12 (ii) As per the Explosives Act, its amendments, regulations and orders, and Circular 01/2024; duties and processes are elaborated in Annex 01. (iii) Yes. (iv) Storage under police protection: 33 stores; additionally, 2,179 storages under the custody of licence/permit holders are supervised by the nearest police station. (v) For the 33 stores under police protection, security is provided day and night under the supervision of a police officer not below the rank of Sergeant/Sub Inspector, with a police post established on the same premises. Other storages maintained by licence/permit holders are at secure locations (safer than the workplace or residence) and are supervised by the nearest police station. (vi) Quantities issued at a time are determined by Assistant Controllers after field inspection, considering quantities previously issued, the number of permits/licences, available infrastructure and human resources, and compliance with conditions in other relevant permits/approvals; done under the supervision of the relevant District Secretary.

¶ 04 (c) Not applicable.