Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih - Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees

Hon. Speaker, I rise to speak on the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and the related Judicature (Amendment). These aim to prohibit and effectively prosecute trafficking of dangerous drugs on the high seas. This is not merely technical or jurisdictional; it is a matter of national survival. As a physician for nearly four decades before entering Parliament, I have consoled anxious mothers and treated addicted youth. I have seen brilliant young lives dimmed by narcotics. This crisis devastates individuals, families, livelihoods and the moral fabric of communities. Our strategic location brings opportunity but also vulnerability. International syndicates exploit the vast high seas, moving across jurisdictions. Legal gaps have hampered prosecutions, especially of foreign nationals intercepted beyond territorial waters. Under current law, trafficking on the high seas is insufficiently criminalized. The proposed Amendment addresses this, aligns us with international conventions and clarifies jurisdiction. The related Judicature (Amendment) empowers the High Court with forum jurisdiction to hear such cases. Every interdicted shipment means thousands of doses kept off our streets. Every successful prosecution signals that Sri Lanka is not a soft target. But legislation alone is not enough. Drug addiction is both a criminal justice issue and a public health crisis. While we must be firm against traffickers—the ruthless architects of destruction—we must be compassionate toward victims. As we strengthen maritime enforcement and empower courts, we must also expand prevention, education and rehabilitation. A nation that only punishes without healing, or only heals without deterring, will not solve this problem. We must do both, with balance and humanity. Internationally, these Amendments reaffirm our commitment to cooperative maritime security and a rules-based order. They enhance credibility with partners, strengthen intelligence-sharing and show we are a responsible coastal State. Let us pass these Bills with unity. On national security and the protection of our children, there are no partisan divides—only shared responsibility. In safeguarding our seas, we safeguard our shores; in protecting our youth, we protect our future; and in strengthening our laws, we strengthen our nation.