Posted by Udaya Arunakantha on July 2, 2026 – 7:30 pm
Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has referred to as for all related establishments to work below one nationwide plan to eradicate the drug menace within the nation.
The President made these remarks whereas attending a gathering of the “A Nation United” Nationwide Steering Council for the eradication of the drug menace, held this morning (July 02) on the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
The assembly was held with the participation of the Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas and different spiritual leaders.
Throughout the assembly, President Dissanayake instructed officers to submit a report on the subsequent assembly on the tasks assigned to every establishment below the nationwide plan, the progress made thus far and the programmes carried out by every establishment to fight the drug downside.
It was revealed on the assembly that just about 70 p.c of Sri Lanka’s jail inhabitants consists of individuals hooked on narcotic substances. Consideration was due to this fact directed in direction of measures that may very well be taken to deal with this case, particularly in view of great jail overcrowding.
The President additionally inquired concerning the steps being taken to stop schoolchildren from turning into concerned in drug use.
Officers mentioned 225 programmes, together with consciousness programmes for academics and college students, have already been carried out at college degree.
Discussions have additionally been held with vice-chancellors and heads of departments at universities and better schooling establishments. Following these discussions, peer teams have been established amongst college students to hold out consciousness programmes.
Consideration was additionally drawn to conducting a nationwide survey on the prevalence of medication inside the faculty system.
The President careworn the necessity to set up a committee led by the Ministry of Training, with representatives from all related establishments, to work below a standard plan to eradicate the drug menace from faculties.
It was additionally determined to convene a particular dialogue with the house owners of personal and worldwide faculties to contain them within the nationwide drug prevention programme.
The assembly additionally reviewed the progress of drafting new legal guidelines to make sure the immediate destruction of seized narcotics.
Consideration was given to introducing an automatic system to handle court docket displays and decentralising laboratory amenities with the assist of authorized and scientific specialists, to be able to scale back delays in investigations.
The President additionally highlighted the necessity for a correct reporting mechanism on seized narcotics and the locations the place they’re being stored as court docket displays.
He mentioned information must be maintained on consignments awaiting Authorities Analyst reviews, consignments for which reviews have already been obtained and portions retained as court docket displays.
It was additional famous that the draft regulation on the rehabilitation of individuals hooked on narcotic substances has now been finalised and can be gazetted shortly.
Consideration was additionally centered on introducing drug testing kits via pharmacies, permitting mother and father to privately verify whether or not their youngsters have change into concerned in drug use.
The assembly additionally mentioned establishing fashionable amenities for the Police Narcotics Bureau, bettering the effectivity of the Division of the Authorities Analyst, utilizing fashionable expertise to acquire analyst reviews and introducing crucial amendments to legal guidelines associated to harmful medication.
To stop narcotics from coming into Sri Lanka via sea routes, the Navy, Police and intelligence companies are implementing a joint particular operational plan.
Discussions additionally centered on stopping the distribution of medication by boat, introducing associated authorized amendments and strengthening the authorized authority to confiscate autos used for drug trafficking, together with multi-day fishing vessels.
The assembly was attended by the Maha Sangha, led by the Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter; the Most Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thera, Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter; and the Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thero.
