COLOMBO : The drug menace must be defeated to ensure social stability in the country and that the steps taken by himself and the government in this regard will undoubtedly lead to victory, according to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
President Dissanayake stated that narcotics have turned into a deep deceptive trade that has gripped the nation and that he is taking action to defeat it. The President further noted that children, the general public and the entire country are becoming victims of this deceptive trade.
Meanwhile, the President pointed out that the younger generation has become the biggest victim of the drug crisis and that the destructive storm is now spreading from village to village across the country.
President Dissanayake made these remarks while addressing the ceremony held to launch the island-wide anti-drug operation, under the theme “Nation United – National Drive” in Colombo this morning.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
“When a child is born, parents are filled with hope. But today, many parents are forced to watch their own children being destroyed before their very eyes. Mothers suffer deeply and become isolated from society,” said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing the nation during the launch of the program — a new government initiative to eradicate the drug crisis.
The President revealed alarming details about the scale of the drug trade:
“Each year, we intercept around 800–900 kilograms of narcotics. But we must realize that this is only a fraction of what actually enters the country. If we were seizing everything, more wouldn’t be coming in. What we seize is small compared to what circulates freely. This trade moves vast sums of money, creating a massive black economy. It has now become a major criminal enterprise, with internal conflicts among groups fighting over control of the market. The recent shootings we’ve seen across the country are all tied to this drug network.”
The President went on to explain how organized crime has infiltrated state institutions, including the military and police:
“Some of the firearms used by these groups come from our own state weapon stockpiles. Reports show that 73 T-56 rifles went missing from army camps — 35 have been recovered, but 38 are still in criminal hands. Even a senior army colonel has been found supplying ammunition in exchange for money. Some police officers have sold their own weapons and fled. These are state-owned firearms. The question is: how did they end up with armed gangs? This shows that organized groups, empowered by financial might, have managed to penetrate the state machinery. We cannot continue to ignore or hide this situation any longer.”
