Sri Lanka drug death penalty discussions intensify as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake orders tougher laws and faster action against narcotics.
Attention was drawn at the “Rata Ma Ekata” National Operations Council to the imposition of the death penalty for drug-related crimes, considering that the menace of dangerous drugs has now gone beyond mere individual relationships and poses a serious threat to the entire economic and social fabric, while continuing to escalate.
The matter was discussed when the “Rata Ma Ekata” National Operations Council convened at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (10) under the chairmanship of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The Council discussed how the criminal environment built around the enormous wealth generated through drug trafficking has now become a major threat to the national economy, tourism industry and social moral values. The need to implement strict laws to create a society that is not intimidated by drug trafficking and related criminal activities was also discussed.
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President Dissanayake pointed out the need to create practical action and an urgent change in attitudes within the country to eradicate the dangerous drug menace, which is destroying the entire social fabric and increasingly targeting the country’s future generations. He also stated that the Government expects the active participation of religious leaders, parents and community organisations in this effort.
The meeting also held extensive discussions on the institutional changes that need to be made while understanding the depth of this national crisis.
It was stated that amendments to laws relating to drug control and the bail process have already been drafted and are at the final stage. These amendments are expected to be gazetted soon and presented to Parliament.
It was also stated that the process of issuing forensic reports, which has contributed to delays in drug-related cases, has been significantly accelerated. A total of 6,414 forensic reports were issued during July alone.
The President instructed officials to prepare a specific data classification based on the quantity of drugs seized, such as less than 5 grams and less than 10 grams, in order to expedite legal proceedings involving individuals who remain in remand custody due to delays in forensic reports.
He also instructed officials to establish proper coordination among the Government Analyst’s Department, the Police and the Prisons Department and to establish a formal process to produce suspects before courts as soon as the relevant reports are received.
The President also inquired into measures being taken to increase the capacity of the Government Analyst’s Department and expand its facilities. It was stated that the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy is being obtained for activities related to obtaining forensic reports.
The President also instructed officials to allocate the necessary funds to install a security camera system.
The current situation in prisons was also discussed extensively. It was revealed that property damage caused by unrest in recent days at the prisons in Negombo, Mahara, Magazine, Pallansena and Kuruwita had exceeded Rs. 255 million.
The meeting also discussed increasing access to the services of psychiatrists to reduce disruptive and unruly behaviour among prison inmates.
The President instructed officials to expedite the process of presenting the draft amendment to the Rehabilitation Act No. 54 of 2007 to Parliament. He also instructed that experienced retired officers be recruited on a contract basis to expedite work and overcome delays at the Legal Draftsman’s Department.
The progress of the “Mituru Pasala” programme, jointly implemented by the Ministries of Education and Health to prevent the spread of drugs within the school system, was also reviewed.
It was stated that special attention is being paid to the personality development of students under the programme, while teachers, principals and counsellors are being trained to identify children who use drugs and provide them with proper guidance.
The President instructed officials to implement special programmes with particular attention to schools located in areas with a high risk of drug use and high population density.
It was also revealed that the trend of dangerous drug use among children attending international schools has increased, and the National Council paid special attention to the matter.
The meeting also discussed the availability of drug testing kits through pharmacies, enabling parents to personally check whether their children have become addicted to drugs. The importance of parents remaining vigilant and attentive to their children was also emphasised.
Attention was also drawn to groups promoting drugs through the internet and social media. The possibility of using social media to promote an anti-drug ideology throughout society was also discussed.
The progress of programmes being implemented under the multi-sectoral National Strategic Plan was also reviewed. The plan is being implemented jointly by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media; the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education; the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs; the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board; the Bureau of Rehabilitation; the Sri Lanka Police; the three armed forces; the Department of Community Corrections; the Department of Prisons; the Department of Probation and Child Care Services; the National Child Protection Authority; the Department of Social Services; and the “Praja Shakthi” programme.
The programmes are being implemented under six revised strategies: preventing drug use, early identification, rehabilitation, legal amendments and institutional changes, relapse prevention and follow-up, and planning, regulation, review and reporting.
The meeting was attended by the Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thera, Anu Nayake of the Asgiri Chapter; the Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thera, Anu Nayake of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya; and the Most Venerable Kuppiyawatte Bodhananda Thera.
Rev. Fr. Jude Bernard, Sri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal, Muththusamy Alagesan Kurukkal, Sheikh Mohamed Arkam Nooramith Moulavi and other religious dignitaries were also present.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala; Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyyakontha; Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ayesha Jinaseena; ministry secretaries and officials; Inspector General of Police Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya; and senior officials of the security forces were also among those present.
President’s Media Division
10 August 2026
