July 31, Colombo: Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that there was no need whatsoever to bear arms by anyone except the security forces, and such activities should be stopped.

The government peace secretariat said quoting the Secretary defence, who addressed a meeting to discuss the eastern development programme held in Colombo last week that carrying arms by others except the security forces was not necessary as there was no threat after liberating the East.

The meeting, which was attended by officials concerned with work in the eastern province together with Secretaries to Ministries, was chaired by Ministers Karu Jayasuriya and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.