President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks addressing the one-year review and religious conference of the 'Iwavathvenu' (Step Away) operation held at Temple Trees yesterday (05) evening. He urged all religious leaders to take the lead in bringing about an ideological and attitudinal transformation in society to defeat the menace of illicit narcotics. Concurrently, the official website of the 'Ratama Eka Maavak' national campaign, www.1818.gov.lk, was also launched by the President.

Key Points

  • The President made these remarks at the one-year review and religious conference of the 'Iwavathvenu' operation held at Temple Trees.
  • During this year alone, 438,330 kilograms of various illicit narcotics valued at Rs. 224 billion have been seized.
  • A total of 67 criminals hiding overseas have been brought back to Sri Lanka, while Red Notices have been issued for another 112 suspects.
  • The official website of the national campaign, www.1818.gov.lk, was also launched on this occasion.

Scale of the drug menace targeting children

The President pointed out with statistics that from a situation where only one individual under the age of 18 was arrested with 'ICE' (crystal methamphetamine) in 2022, the country has reached a state where even children between the ages of 5 and 14 have fallen victim. By 2025, 1,874 youths under 18 have been arrested with ICE, while 1,068 children aged between 14 and 18, 13 children aged between 5 and 14, and over two hundred girls have been apprehended in connection with offenses, he said.

During this year, 438,330 kilograms of various narcotics have been seized. This includes 6,528 kilograms of ICE, 4,000 kilograms of heroin, 1,841 kilograms of hashish, 314 kilograms of cocaine, nearly 45 million narcotic pills, and 2,598 kilograms of other illicit drugs, with the total street value, including cannabis, estimated at Rs. 224 billion.

Steps taken against the illicit finance network

It was revealed that traffickers have used the power of this black money to purchase influence within Customs, the Department of Motor Traffic, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Police, and even among politicians. The President also recalled that in the past, certain drug traffickers had even become chairmen of local government authorities.

To dismantle this criminal network, 67 organized criminals who were hiding abroad have been brought back, Red Notices have been issued for another 112 individuals, and assets worth Rs. 4,500 million have been frozen. It was also reported that 97 T-56 assault rifles, 143 pistols, 105 revolvers, and one AK-47 rifle, which audit reports revealed had gone missing from military camps, were seized this year.

Dignitaries present at the conference

Members of the Maha Sangha, including Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero, Most Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thero, Ven. Balapitiye Siri Seewali Thero, and Ven. Waleboda Gunasiri Thero, as well as religious leaders including Bishop Harold Anthony Perera, Sri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal, and Sheikh Mohamed Arkam Nooraddin Moulavi, attended the event. Cabinet Ministers including Ananda Wijepala and Dr. Sunil Senevi, along with other parliamentarians, were also present.