Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law

## Summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta spoke in support of two proposed amendments — to the Judicature Act and the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Act — which introduce new legal mechanisms to combat drug production and trafficking, including within Sri Lanka's maritime zones and international waters. He contextualised the drug trade historically, referencing the Opium Wars and major trafficking regions, to argue that the problem is complex and cannot be resolved through enforcement alone or within a short timeframe. He outlined a multi-pronged approach encompassing extended maritime jurisdiction, evidence-based rehabilitation, public awareness, and independent investigative institutions free from political interference. He also proposed studying international decriminalisation models, such as those in Portugal and Switzerland, as potentially instructive for Sri Lanka's policy development under the government's "Rataama Ekata" national programme.

The speaker, Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, declined to ask a supplementary question, stating simply that he had no supplementary to raise.

Hon. Susantha Dodawatta directed three questions to the Prime Minister regarding President's participation in an Artificial Intelligence Summit held in India, which was attended at the invitation of the Indian Prime Minister. The member sought clarification on the significance of Sri Lanka's participation in the Summit, the identities of foreign Heads of State and notable figures the President met on the sidelines, and the tangible benefits and opportunities Sri Lanka gained as a result of the visit.