Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath

Dr. Elayathamby Srinath concluded his speech by citing a statistic of over 200,000 drug-related arrests in 2024, using this figure to argue for the necessity of proper mental health counselling and structured rehabilitation programmes for those affected by drug offences.

Dr. Elayathamby Srinath expressed support for the proposed drug law amendment, citing 2024 National Dangerous Drugs Control Board statistics showing 228,450 arrests — the majority youth aged 20–29 — as evidence of a grave national crisis. He called for parallel action against illegal liquor, arguing that existing penalties are inadequate and allow repeat offending, and demanded comprehensive rehabilitation facilities at the Divisional Secretariat level, noting the absence of adequate treatment centres in Batticaloa District. He further urged the Government to provide immediate compensation to Batticaloa farmers who have suffered losses from both cyclone-related flooding and human-elephant conflict, which he described as compounding hardships in an already distressed region.

Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath spoke in support of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill, noting that drug use became a significant problem in the North and East following the end of the war in 2009 and has since spread nationwide. He called for a comprehensive approach to addressing the drug crisis that combines strong legal enforcement with social measures aimed at protecting and rehabilitating youth.