The Ministry of Defence will open the renewal process for 2027 firearm licences on Tuesday, 1 September, and holders have until 31 December 2026 to complete it.
The window runs for four months. It applies to all individuals and institutions holding firearm licences, the Daily Mirror reported.
The penalty for letting a licence lapse
The ministry warned that possessing a firearm without renewing the relevant licence is an offence under Section 22 of the Firearms Ordinance, and that legal action may be taken against owners who miss the deadline, NewsFirst reported.
Both outlets carried the same warning, and neither reported what penalties Section 22 carries on conviction.
What the notice does not say
Neither report gave the renewal fee, the documents required, or where holders should apply — whether at the ministry directly, through police stations, or through divisional secretariats. Neither said whether the process can be completed online.
Neither outlet reported how many firearm licences are currently in force in Sri Lanka, how many lapsed in the previous cycle, or whether the ministry is making any change to eligibility or conditions for 2027. No reason was given for the four-month window.
