COLOMBO : Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala stated that the newly established National Operations Office and Media Centre will play a key role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse.
The Minister made these remarks while attending the opening of the main office and media centre of the “Ratama Ekata” national anti-drug operation in Colombo today (26).
He said that the 1818 hotline, which is used to receive information related to drug activities, will be operated through the new media centre in the future, enabling better coordination and public engagement.
Minister Wijepala noted that although the drug menace, which has spread over several decades, cannot be eliminated overnight, the government is continuing to implement sustained and strategic measures to curb the problem.
He further stated that political influence had contributed to the expansion of drug trafficking in the past, but such interference has now been removed, allowing law enforcement officers to carry out their duties independently and effectively.
The Minister emphasized that the new media centre will serve not only as a hub for media coordination but also as a platform through which the public can directly provide information to support the national effort to eradicate drug trafficking.
