Speaking on the government's renewed efforts, the Deputy Minister pointed out that previous law enforcement operations, such as 'Yukthiya' and 'Mathata Thitha', primarily apprehended minor offenders—metaphorically referred to as "sprats"—while the major operators, or "sharks," remained largely untouched. He noted that these top-tier criminals often orchestrate their illicit supply networks from the safety of foreign countries.
To combat this, the current administration has actively engaged with international partners to track down and repatriate these high-profile criminals. Deputy Minister Watagala revealed that 29 drug-related criminals have already been brought back to Sri Lanka using a combination of extradition laws, diplomatic negotiations, and foreign court convictions. He further said that another notorious drug trafficker is scheduled to be extradited from India, bringing the total number of repatriated suspects to 30.
In addition to dismantling the supply chain, the government is introducing stringent legislative measures to tackle the financial foundations of organized crime. A new Proceeds of Crime bill has been presented to Parliament to address wealth generated through illegal means. Nationwide police stations have been instructed to closely monitor and investigate individuals who exhibit sudden, unexplained wealth. Authorities will specifically target those who lack legitimate employment or business income but display massive assets, as these are highly suspected to be funded by the illicit drug trade.
The government is also actively addressing the demand side of the drug crisis by revamping the rehabilitation process. In collaboration with the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, authorities have introduced voluntary rehabilitation programs. This marks a significant shift from the previously relied-upon court-mandated rehabilitation systems, aiming to encourage more individuals to willingly seek help for substance abuse.
Furthermore, a special Cabinet-approved committee is currently exploring the implementation of new technology to immediately destroy confiscated narcotics. Under this proposed system, only a minimal, required sample will be retained as legal evidence (production) for court proceedings, while the bulk of the seized drugs will be destroyed instantly. This initiative aims to ensure maximum transparency and eliminate any risk of seized drugs re-entering the market, the Deputy Minister said.
