President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that while physical development of the country is important, the wellbeing, stability and moral strength of society are equally vital. He stressed that every citizen has a responsibility to help eradicate the drug menace, which has grown into a national disaster, and to protect future generations from its harmful effects.
The President made these remarks while participating in the third meeting of the “A Nation United” National Steering Council, established to eliminate drugs from Sri Lanka. The meeting was held this morning (06) at the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of the Most Venerable members of the Maha Sangha representing the three Nikayas, as well as leaders of other religious faiths.
The national operation “Quit – A Nation United” is being implemented under the theme “A Drug-Free Nation – A Happier Tomorrow.” The programme adopts a multi-pronged strategy aimed at disrupting islandwide drug supply networks, expanding raids and arrests, rehabilitating drug users, implementing prevention programmes and empowering communities toina against narcotics.
The initiative is being carried out as a united national effort involving the Government, security forces, civil organisations and the general public, with the objective of creating strong social pressure against drug traffickers and distributors while supporting rehabilitation of those addicted to drugs.
During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on the progress of ongoing raids, arrests and rehabilitation programmes. The President expressed his appreciation to all institutions, officers and members of the public committed to the campaign.
It was revealed that from 1 January 2025 to 5 January 2026, authorities had seized the following quantities of narcotics:
Heroin: 1,821.174 kg
Crystal meth (“Ice”): 3,865.710 kg
Cannabis: 17,189.377 kg
Cocaine: 38.958 kg
Narcotic tablets and capsules: 4,049,569
In line with decisions taken at the previous meeting, attention was also focused on drafting new legislation to ensure the speedy destruction of seized drug stocks. The President instructed relevant authorities to expedite the process and reviewed progress on the destruction of drugs currently in custody.
Discussions also covered the need to identify the social backgrounds of drug-dependent individuals and to conduct a comprehensive survey to collect relevant data. The meeting further deliberated on establishing a strong mechanism involving educational institutions, government bodies, voluntary organisations and cultural institutions to strengthen implementation of the national programme.
Additionally, plans were discussed to conduct public awareness programmes with the involvement of religious leaders, utilising the close relationship between villages and places of worship.
The meeting was attended by the Maha Sangha led by the Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera (Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter), the Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thera (Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter), the Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thera (Anunayake of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya) and the Most Venerable Kuppiyawatte Bodhananda Thera. Religious leaders including Fr. Nishantha Fernando, Sri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal, Muthusamy Alagesan Kurukkal and Maulavi Ash-Sheikh M. Arkam Nooramith also participated.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), and several other officials were also present.
