2026-02-19 / Debate (Continued): Judicature (Amendment) Bill and Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Committee and Third Reading 2026-02-19
Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe spoke in support of two bills amending the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Judicature Act, framing them as essential components of the government's broader anti-narcotics strategy. He outlined the October-launched national operation "Country Together – Quit," which targets traffickers, provides rehabilitation for users, and builds prevention structures at multiple administrative levels. He highlighted Sri Lanka's vulnerability to maritime drug trafficking through the Indian Ocean, citing trafficking routes from the "Golden Crescent" and "Golden Triangle," and called for enhanced naval and air surveillance, a dedicated Narcotics Prevention Bureau, stronger penalties, expedited case resolution, and expanded international cooperation with INTERPOL and UN agencies. He endorsed the legislative amendments as necessary to underpin a comprehensive strategy encompassing supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, and community involvement.
Madam Speaker, we debate two bills amending the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Judicature Act. Our Government pledged to uproot the narcotics scourge. In October we launched the national operation “Country Together – Quit,” with objectives to:
- apprehend and isolate traffickers and distributors,
- refer users for treatment and rehabilitation,
- establish mechanisms at national, district, divisional and village levels, and
- strengthen public awareness through sustained outreach.
Mother ships at sea distribute to smaller vessels; these maritime handovers must be interdicted. Our policy proposals under “A drug-free country – a healthier citizen life” include:
- Implement an integrated operation to prevent drugs and organized crime in the country
- Establish a separate Bureau for Narcotics Prevention
- Develop naval and air surveillance, provide modern equipment and training to officials to prevent drug entry
- Regularize rehabilitation programmes for addicts
- Strengthen penalties and expedite case resolution
- Implement continuous school-based education
- Expand the Dangerous Drugs Control Board and establish monitoring committees to involve communities
- Educate the public on adverse effects of drug use
We bring these amendments because the Indian Ocean has become a weakly monitored expanse exploited for trafficking from the “Golden Crescent” and “Golden Triangle” across to Africa, South Asia, and Australia. Reports show increasing local use as well. Our interdictions must be paired with rehabilitation, community prevention, and international cooperation (INTERPOL, UN agencies, and bilateral partners). We are targeting organized crime-finance, asset seizures, and precursor chemical controls. This comprehensive approach—supply reduction, demand reduction, harm reduction, and stronger governance—requires the legal changes before us. We support them.