No protection for drug traffickers, says President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared that there will be no protection for drug dealers or traffickers under the present government, calling on all citizens to unite to eradicate the drug menace.

Speaking at the “A Nation United” campaign event in Nuwara Eliya, the President said illicit drugs have become a national disaster, destroying families, fuelling crime and drawing children into violence and criminal networks.

He stressed that political protection previously extended to drug traffickers has been completely withdrawn and that the Police and Armed Forces have been given full independence to act. “We have no drug dealers to shield,” the President said, assuring law enforcement authorities of full state backing.

Since the launch of the campaign, over 91,000 suspects linked to drug trafficking have been arrested, while more than 1,500 individuals have been referred for rehabilitation.