Arms amnesty begins in Sri Lanka

The authorities in Sri Lanka are reported to have begun an amnesty for the surrender of illegal firearms.

Over a 15-day period, members of the public will be able to hand in unauthorised weapons to their nearest police station without fear of prosecution.

The amnesty is part of the government's efforts to restore law and order after the violence of the recent elections, in which about 60 people were killed.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service