Prime Minister Hun Sen this week joined world leaders in condemning the series of bloody bomb attacks in Sri Lanka this week that left at least 350 people dead.
He said the attacks highlighted the increased need for security in states that may be vulnerable to such attacks, including Cambodia.
“I would like to take to this chance to strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka,” he said. “We should not be careless, this is why I always keep reminding our police, military police and all authorities.”
A view of the damage at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, after bomb blasts ripped through churches and luxury hotels on Easter, in Negombo, Sri Lanka April 22, 2019.
At least six simultaneous blasts targeted churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, killing some 350 people and injuring at least 500. Forty people were arrested in connection with the attacks.
British, American and Dutch nationals were among the victims of the Sunday attacks, though the vast majority of those killed were Sri Lankan. Leaders around the world condemned the attacks, including US President Donald Trump and the UK Prime Minsiter Theresa May.
The Cambodian foreign ministry issued a statement on Sunday joining the condemnation and expressing condolences for the loss of life.
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday said the attacks and the massacre in New Zealand earlier this year should lead to increased gun control in Cambodia.
“Experiences in Sri Lanka and New Zealand give lessons to Cambodia. We need to continue managing explosives and weapons strictly. Too much freedom on usage of weapons is not a freedom for citizens’ happiness,” he said.
Lao Mong Hay, a veteran political analyst, welcomed the comments, but added that the government should pay particular attention to weapons smuggling by military officials.
“It is important to manage the inventory of weapons in every government entity, especially security forces, both inside and outside of Cambodia. As we know from the past, there are some weapons stores in Toek Thla market. They sell weapons and military uniforms,” he said.
The law on weapons control was enacted in June 2005 to impose restrictions on weapons usage.