2026-02-19 / Debate (Continued): Judicature (Amendment) Bill and Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Committee and Third Reading 2026-02-19
## Summary
Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna spoke in support of proposed amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Act and the Judicature Act (No. 2 of 1978), arguing they address a critical jurisdictional gap by extending Sri Lanka's legal authority to interdict drug trafficking on the high seas and prosecute suspects domestically. He cited significant drug seizure statistics from January 2025 to January 2026—including over 1,821 kg of heroin, 3,865 kg of methamphetamine, and approximately 4 million pills—to illustrate the scale of the narcotics threat, noting most hard drugs enter Sri Lanka by sea rather than being produced locally. The speaker also referenced an alleged attempt by a named political figure to establish a methamphetamine production facility in Tangalle, which was foiled by investigators. He framed the legislation within the broader "Rataama Ekata" national anti-drug operation, which he described as operating through committees at national, district, divisional, and village levels, encompassing enforcement, rehabilitation, and prevention.
At a time when the “Rataama Ekata” national operation is underway to eradicate the drug menace under the theme “A country free from intoxication – a joyful tomorrow,” these timely Amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Act and to the Judicature Act (No. 2 of 1978) close long-standing gaps.
Sri Lanka is an island, and, encouragingly, most hard drugs are not produced here. Cannabis is cultivated locally, and there was an attempt to set up an ice (methamphetamine) production facility in Tangalle by a prominent Pohottuwa activist who imported a container of chemicals—but our investigators foiled it. Heroin, cocaine, opium, pills—most of these are still not produced here; they come mainly by sea.
From 01.01.2025 to 05.01.2026, seizures totalled approximately: 1,821.174 kg of heroin; 3,865.710 kg of ice; 17,189.377 kg of cannabis; 38.958 kg of cocaine; and 4,049,569 pills. Large-scale seizures occurred at sea.
Until now, we could arrest, prosecute, and punish offenders within the territory, territorial waters, and the Exclusive Economic Zone—but lacked clear jurisdiction for high-seas interdictions. These Bills fix that. Once passed and certified, our agencies can interdict on the high seas, bring suspects to Sri Lanka, and prosecute them. The Amendment to the Judicature Act will vest the necessary court with jurisdiction for such cases—advancing the “drug-free country” policy.
The NPP Government is acting across multiple fronts: controlling spread nationwide, rehabilitating those dependent, preventing new initiation, and empowering communities from national to village level through “Rataama Ekata” committees—national, district, divisional, and GN-level.
Our youth are the most vulnerable. Passing these Bills and implementing the national policy will help build a drug-free Sri Lanka.
Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.