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. Sarath Kumara spoke in support of drug-related legislative amendments, arguing their urgency is demonstrated by the pervasive scale of Sri Lanka's drug crisis, noting that approximately 74% of current prison inmates face drug-related charges, with a disproportionate number aged 18–24. He attributed the entrenchment of drug networks to past political actors who shielded traffickers and corrupted public servants, effectively creating a parallel criminal infrastructure. The speaker cited enforcement statistics from the "Rataama Ekata" operation—including 77,824 raids, 77,105 arrests, and significant drug seizures over three months—as evidence of progress under a structured national plan initiated following a 2025 data analysis. He specifically highlighted the Bill's provisions targeting drug production, possession, and trafficking in Sri Lanka's maritime zones as a necessary legislative development, and called on all members to support the amendments.
These Amendments are of great contemporary importance given the scale of the drug crisis. Recent headlines read: “Tele-drama actor and three others arrested with cocaine,” “Monk arrested for assaulting pedestrian while driving,” “Civil Security officer fined for drunk driving; four prior offences,” “Akuregoda murder suspect stayed at a hotel and used drugs,” “Three held in Kollupitiya with 16 kg of kush,” “Suspect arrested for selling cannabis-laced pills to students,” “838 arrested within 24 hours under ‘Rataama Ekata’,” etc. Drugs have gripped the entire social fabric.
About 74% of current prison inmates are for drug-related offences, many aged 18–24—the very people who should be building our future. This tragedy is our responsibility to fix.
Past political actors nurtured the drug network, shielding traffickers and creating a “black state” beneath the official one, enabled by illicit profits that corrupted some public servants and security personnel. Therefore, in early 2025 we analysed data: 191,320 raids; 190,888 suspects arrested; seizures included 1,482 kg heroin, 2,542 kg ice, 32 kg cocaine, 14,434 kg cannabis, and 3,961,790 pills. This showed the need for a national plan with political leadership, efficient decision-making, a structure from national to village level, and new laws—of which today’s Bills are part.
In the last three months under “Rataama Ekata,” we conducted 77,824 raids; arrested 77,105 suspects; seized roughly 320 kg heroin, 1,280 kg ice, 8 kg cocaine, 2,341 kg cannabis, 155 kg kush, 44 kg hashish, and 13,258 pills; and identified 1,449 persons for rehabilitation. The Bill also targets drug production, possession, and trafficking in our maritime zones—an essential step. We reject fantasy and embrace realities grounded in social need and the rule of law. I invite all to join hands.
Thank you.