Sri Lanka aims to reduce drug supply and use to minimum by 2020

Minister of Law & Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake says the Sri Lankan government believes that the most effective approach to the illegal drug problem would comprise of comprehensive, balanced and coordinated strategy.

“Our ultimate goal should be to make the Indian Ocean a drug free zone,” he said, addressing the high level meeting of interior Security and Internal Affairs Ministers of the Indian Ocean Region to Counter Drug Trafficking at the BMICH today (29).

He stated that the overall goal of the government of Sri Lanka in relation to the drug problem is also an ambitious one to reduce the drug supply and drug use to minimum levels by 2020. 

This goal will be pursued relentlessly by all drug law enforcement agencies, the government agencies directly involved in drug demand reduction including provincial and local administrations and other agencies which have a potential for contributing to the end objective and NGOs and the private agencies as well, he said. 

“The government will adopt a broader approach to drug abuse control within the context of human development focusing particularly on the links between drug abuse, poverty reduction, crime prevention and improving health.”

“The government believes that the most effective approach to the drug problem would comprise of comprehensive, balanced and coordinated strategy and in such a strategy supply control and demand reduction will reinforce each other,” Ratnayake added. 

He stated that a high sense of shared responsibility will be the norm. “I am pleased to confirm that my government has the political will and commitment to eradicate the drug menace and control drug trafficking through Sri Lanka. And it is not by words alone but also by deed.”   

He said that the President himself leads the programme while the Prime Minister is “deeply involved in this entire mission.” 

He stated that Sri Lanka is also working hard on laws. “Some of the laws in Sri Lanka are old, they don’t cater to the current needs. We’re working hard on bringing in new legislation to be able to counter organized crime, drugs and also new laws on terrorism.”

“We are totally committed to eradicate drugs.They have become the most serious challenge faced by our societies today. 

“Unless we take steps to stop the menace of drugs now, all of us will face with a disaster of unprecedented magnitude.”

The harm caused to the people, especially the youth by drugs is a serious problem, he said.