Cabinet errs between AK-47 and SAR-40 View(s):A Cabinet paper presented by Wildlife Minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka had erred in stating the Government will issue AK-47 rifles — a ‘select fire’ weapon capable of fully automatic fire — to solve the human-elephant conflict. A Cabinet paper dated August 7, 2018, had named the firearm as an “AK-47”, the infamous Kalashnikov-designed weapon from Russia. It uses the same ammunition as the T-56 assault rifle, he added, calling it “SAR-40”, rather than “AK-47”, as mentioned in the Cabinet paper. The Cabinet paper lists the unit price of the rifle at Rs 16,000 (for 2018) and 17,000 (for 2019). Minister Fonseka said all officers would undergo training in the proper use of the SAR-40.

Source: Sunday Times September 08, 2018 19:07 UTC