The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we welcome the new Government’s “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” policy and the Clean Sri Lanka programme now being implemented. However, drug use is rampant across the country today. Due to rising consumption and infiltration of narcotics, the entire nation is reeling. In the North and East, prior to 2009, such a situation did not exist. Drug use in the North, which was once very limited, has now dramatically increased in direct opposition to the aims of Clean Sri Lanka.

¶ 02 I am from Mullaitivu, representing the Vanni electoral district. In the Vanni, illicit liquor (kassippu), cannabis, methamphetamine (“ice”), heroin and other illegal alcohol productions are widely available. Statistics show Mullaitivu has a high military presence. Amid this, drugs and illicit liquor are circulating excessively. Why cannot those tasked with safeguarding the public and cleaning the nation control this? People say illegal producers are using sophisticated methods: in some kassippu houses, opening the water tap yields kassippu, and tunnels have been dug within houses to conceal production. One place operating in such a manner was recently caught.

¶ 03 I conduct village-level grievance meetings. Last month, in Vellappallam, in the Pudukudirippu area, many residents attended and pleaded for help, saying drug use is destroying their families. They asked me to raise this with the President and in Parliament; some cried and begged. They reported that in their village, 13 people have already died from kassippu and cannabis-related illicit alcohol, with others on the verge of death. In areas like Parathipuram, Valluvarpuram, Ilangopuram, and Theravil, 42 people have died so far, with more critically ill. They begged us to save their families. This situation exists in many villages. People even offered to show sites where kassippu is produced. Amid severe economic hardship affecting daily life, this crisis is worsening.

¶ 04 I must relate another incident. A mother and daughter came to my office in tears. The husband’s kassippu habit causes daily turmoil at home; their three grown children said they would kill themselves. Why are the Police merely watching? Why cannot they control this? People allege some in the Police are complicit. During the LTTE period, even if not countrywide, areas under their control were effectively drug-free. No one can deny that. Now, despite large numbers of Police and military, kassippu production has been allowed to run rampant, people say.

¶ 05 Due to drug infiltration, families are starving, thefts are increasing, youth are getting addicted and dying, and social decay is worsening. In the Vanni, forests are being destroyed, timber smuggling is occurring, as well as illegal sand mining and gravel extraction—many involved are said to be addicts.

¶ 06 Hon. Presiding Member, my allotted time has ended.

¶ 07 Sir, give me one more minute, please. Recently, at Yogapuram School in Mallavi, Mullaitivu, a Police officer in civilian clothes, allegedly intoxicated, entered the school and behaved inappropriately with girl students. Following a complaint, he was arrested and remanded until the 5th. We have already informed the Minister of Public Security. There was a time in Mullaitivu when women could walk alone even at night. Not now. A nation cannot become “Clean Sri Lanka” by removing garbage alone. Law and order must be established. Illicit alcohol production, timber smuggling, illegal sand and gravel mining, and cattle smuggling must be eradicated. Only then will the people accept this programme. I conclude. Thank you.