President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed that all institutions responsible for combating narcotics must operate under a unified national action plan to effectively eradicate the country’s drug menace.
The President made these remarks while chairing a meeting of the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (One Nation Together) National Steering Committee on eliminating drug abuse, held this morning (02) at the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of the Maha Sangha of the three Buddhist Nikayas and leaders of other religions.
During the meeting, the President instructed all relevant institutions to submit progress reports at the next meeting outlining their assigned responsibilities under the national anti-drug strategy, the measures already implemented, and the programmes currently being carried out to address the drug problem.
It was revealed that nearly 70% of the country’s prison population consists of individuals addicted to narcotic drugs, prompting discussions on measures to address prison overcrowding through appropriate interventions for drug-dependent inmates.
The President also reviewed measures being taken to prevent drug abuse among schoolchildren. Officials informed the meeting that 225 awareness programmes have already been conducted in schools, targeting both students and teachers. Similar initiatives are also being implemented in universities and higher education institutions through discussions with vice-chancellors and department heads, encouraging peer-led awareness campaigns among students.
Attention was also focused on conducting a nationwide survey to assess the prevalence of drug use within the school system. The President emphasised the need for the Ministry of Education to lead a coordinated programme involving all relevant institutions through a dedicated committee operating under a common national plan to eliminate drug abuse in schools.
The meeting also decided to hold a separate discussion with the owners of private and international schools to integrate them into the national drug prevention programme.
Progress on drafting new legislation to facilitate the prompt destruction of seized narcotics was also reviewed. In addition, discussions focused on introducing an automated evidence management system and decentralizing laboratory facilities with the support of legal and scientific experts to minimize delays in forensic examinations and investigations.
