- Note that the above image is AI generated
Speaking in his own voice, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivers a blistering warning that Sri Lanka’s true enemy is the billion-rupee drug underworld, accusing shadow groups of manufacturing artificial problems to derail his nationwide offensive against narcotics, corruption and criminal protection networks.
I want the country to clearly understand that my foremost objective is to protect our children and ensure that they do not fall victim to the growing drug menace. This is the most devastating crisis facing our nation, and my government has taken the firm decision that no criminal and no drug trafficker will ever again receive political protection in Sri Lanka. We have formed an administration that stands with the law, not with criminals, and I am determined to lead a united national fight to eradicate this threat from our society.
The black economy surrounding the drug trade has caused colossal damage to our economic stability, our national development and the peace of our communities. I said this openly during the Southern Provincial Program of the Ratama Ekata National Campaign held at the Tangalle Public Stadium. It is time our people understand the scale and danger of this threat. Today, money that legitimate businesses could not earn in decades is being generated within hours through drug operations. This massive circulation of illegal wealth has begun to distort our entire economic and social fabric.
This money has been used to buy weak state officials, influence the state machinery and create an alternative power structure that undermines law enforcement. These drug networks have built illegal armed groups made up of youth who have been desensitized to violence and stripped of the value of life. Using these groups, they continue to grow the drug trade and terrorize the public.
I must stress that state officials have only two choices. One is to ignore these issues, allow the problem to grow and betray their responsibilities to the public. The other is to stand up, fulfill their duties and fight this disaster alongside the government. The future of the country depends on the choice they make. For years, underworld activists were empowered by politicians who transferred political influence into the hands of these criminal groups. Some of these individuals were deeply embedded in presidential security divisions and working committees of previous governments. They operated with political blessings and full protection. I give the country a firm assurance that under my leadership, no such criminal will ever receive political cover again.
I also want the people to understand that various groups are now attempting to create artificial issues to mislead the public and distract from the real crisis confronting us. They want to frustrate our operations by organizing protests, demonstrations and campaigns intended to weaken the government’s resolve. These destructive political networks hope to sabotage our national mission and preserve the underground economy that has kept them powerful. I assure the country that my government will defeat these attempts.
I call on all state officers to safeguard the dignity of their uniform and never allow fear of underworld activists to compromise their duty. The government stands with every officer who performs their responsibilities with discipline and integrity. No officer will be abandoned for doing what is right.
A significant portion of the national budget has been allocated for rehabilitation programs. A scientifically developed methodology has been introduced to ensure that the process is effective, strong and properly monitored. Yet rehabilitation is only one part of the solution. We must dismantle the networks that create addicts, not merely treat them after the damage is done.
I emphasize that this operation will continue until this national disaster is fully defeated. I will not abandon the decision taken by this government. I will accelerate this mission every single day and give my leadership continuously so that this fight gathers more strength tomorrow than it had today.
Millions of children have already been affected by the drug scourge. Families are breaking apart. Villages are living in fear. A child who becomes a drug addict eventually turns to theft, fraud and violent crime. First, he steals from his home. Then he steals from the country. Finally, he becomes trapped in the drug network, killing on contract for the underworld. Nearly ninety percent of those arrested for serious crimes are addicted to drugs. This crisis has swallowed the future of our youth and the nation.
The money generated from drugs is so enormous that no legitimate business in Sri Lanka could accumulate it even in a hundred years. This wealth is smuggled by sea, funneled into black markets and used to infiltrate public institutions. Weak links within the state are bought. Drug raids are obstructed. Threats are issued to police officers. There are villages where people openly say that the police are unable or unwilling to act. Even in prisons, criminals have been given more luxuries and facilities than they had at home.
This is why I tell the country that the real threat to our future is not the artificial problems being thrown at us by political opportunists. The true enemy is the drug economy that has infiltrated every corner of our society. My responsibility as President is to confront it head on, no matter the resistance, no matter the political cost. I will not allow Sri Lanka to be destroyed by this poison. Together, we will reclaim our nation.
