Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, stated that the National Programme to eradicate drugs will be launched by the end of this month.
He further emphasised that under a National People's Power (NPP) government, no one will be allowed to import or distribute drugs.
The Minister made these remarks while attending the inaugural session of a series of district-level counselling workshops organised by the Bureau of Rehabilitation to inform consulting officers from state and non-state institutions, under the theme "A Beautiful Life, A Drug-Free Nation." The programme was held last morning (14) at the Gampaha District Secretariat auditorium.
Addressing the gathering, the Justice Minister stated:
"A National Programme to stop the import and supply of drugs will begin by the end of this month. A Cabinet paper has been submitted for this purpose. The support of you, the consulting officers representing institutions including the Bureau of Rehabilitation, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), and the Department of Social Services, is essential to make this programme successful. The primary goal is to halt the supply of drugs. In addition, raising awareness about drugs and the follow-up process for individuals rehabilitated from drug use is crucial. That process is your responsibility as consulting officers. Under a National People's Power government, no one will be allowed to import or distribute drugs."
The Minister highlighted that drug use is particularly prevalent in the Colombo and Gampaha districts. He noted that this disaster severely impacts the country's economy and leads to the breakdown of the family unit. Furthermore, the underworld has largely spread through the drug trade.
The Minister further mentioned that the Bureau of Rehabilitation, operating under the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, has commenced a formal programme to eradicate the drug menace. Accordingly, ten voluntary rehabilitation centres will be established across the country for drug addicts to seek rehabilitation voluntarily.
The first of these ten centres for voluntary rehabilitation is scheduled to be established on the 16th of this month at the Senapura Rehabilitation Centre in Welikand̪a, Polonnaruwa.
The workshop featured lectures by Nilani Aluṯhge, Assistant Director of the NDDCB, and Chief Police Inspector Niluka Chamali Perera of the Police Narcotics Bureau.
Deputy Minister of Cultural and Religious Affairs Munir Mulaffar, Gampaha District MPs Ruwan Mapalagama and Attorney-at-Law Upul Abeywickrama, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Bureau of Rehabilitation, Professor Wasantha Subhasinha, and Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, Brigadier M.S. Amith, also addressed the workshop.
High-ranking officials representing the NDDCB, Police, Police Narcotics Bureau, Bureau of Rehabilitation, and the Gampaha Education Director's office, as well as Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe and NDDCB Chairman Indika Wanninayaka, participated in the event.
An expert discussion was also held with the participation of officials from the Bureau of Rehabilitation, NDDCB, Police Narcotics Bureau, Department of Social Services, and the Department of Health Services.
He further emphasised that under a National People's Power (NPP) government, no one will be allowed to import or distribute drugs.
The Minister made these remarks while attending the inaugural session of a series of district-level counselling workshops organised by the Bureau of Rehabilitation to inform consulting officers from state and non-state institutions, under the theme "A Beautiful Life, A Drug-Free Nation." The programme was held last morning (14) at the Gampaha District Secretariat auditorium.
Addressing the gathering, the Justice Minister stated:
"A National Programme to stop the import and supply of drugs will begin by the end of this month. A Cabinet paper has been submitted for this purpose. The support of you, the consulting officers representing institutions including the Bureau of Rehabilitation, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), and the Department of Social Services, is essential to make this programme successful. The primary goal is to halt the supply of drugs. In addition, raising awareness about drugs and the follow-up process for individuals rehabilitated from drug use is crucial. That process is your responsibility as consulting officers. Under a National People's Power government, no one will be allowed to import or distribute drugs."
The Minister highlighted that drug use is particularly prevalent in the Colombo and Gampaha districts. He noted that this disaster severely impacts the country's economy and leads to the breakdown of the family unit. Furthermore, the underworld has largely spread through the drug trade.
The Minister further mentioned that the Bureau of Rehabilitation, operating under the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, has commenced a formal programme to eradicate the drug menace. Accordingly, ten voluntary rehabilitation centres will be established across the country for drug addicts to seek rehabilitation voluntarily.
The first of these ten centres for voluntary rehabilitation is scheduled to be established on the 16th of this month at the Senapura Rehabilitation Centre in Welikand̪a, Polonnaruwa.
The workshop featured lectures by Nilani Aluṯhge, Assistant Director of the NDDCB, and Chief Police Inspector Niluka Chamali Perera of the Police Narcotics Bureau.
Deputy Minister of Cultural and Religious Affairs Munir Mulaffar, Gampaha District MPs Ruwan Mapalagama and Attorney-at-Law Upul Abeywickrama, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Bureau of Rehabilitation, Professor Wasantha Subhasinha, and Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, Brigadier M.S. Amith, also addressed the workshop.
High-ranking officials representing the NDDCB, Police, Police Narcotics Bureau, Bureau of Rehabilitation, and the Gampaha Education Director's office, as well as Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe and NDDCB Chairman Indika Wanninayaka, participated in the event.
An expert discussion was also held with the participation of officials from the Bureau of Rehabilitation, NDDCB, Police Narcotics Bureau, Department of Social Services, and the Department of Health Services.
