The summit, jointly organised by the National Youth Services Council and the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, will coincide with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Officials said the initiative aims to unite young people at grassroots level to combat the growing drug menace and send a strong message rejecting drug traffickers and narcotics culture in Sri Lanka.
The decision was discussed during a meeting held today at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
According to survey findings presented at the meeting, young people between the ages of 20 and 35 have been the most affected by drug abuse, leading to serious social, economic and health-related consequences. Authorities also noted that the issue has negatively impacted national workforce productivity.
The “A Nation United” programme has been launched as a key government initiative aimed at eradicating drug abuse and protecting the country’s younger generation.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the summit’s organisational arrangements and implementation plans.
Senior government officials, including Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewe, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Aruna Bandara and Chairman of the National Youth Services Council Supun Wijeratne, attended the discussion along with representatives of the Tri-Forces and Police.
