Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran

## Summary Hon. Jegatheeswaran spoke in support of the second readings of the Judicial Organization (Amendment) Bill and the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill, arguing that both pieces of legislation are necessary updates for a developing democracy. On judicial reform, he welcomed provisions to increase the number of higher courts and judges to reduce case backlogs, noting that expedited civil proceedings would also improve investor confidence. On drug control, he cited alarming statistics from the Northern Province — including a reported 25% annual increase in drug-related arrests since 2023, a 35% rise in cardiac events among young males attributed to methamphetamine, and drug users accounting for approximately 65% of thefts — to underscore the urgency of the amendments, which he noted would extend prosecutorial reach to mid-sea trafficking operations. He called for expanded rehabilitation capacity in the North and urged cross-party support for the President's "Whole Country Together" anti-drug programme.