The Hon. Ananda Wijepala

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer to the question is as follows.

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. (ii) Such instances are observed from time to time.

¶ 03 (b) Measures being taken include: - Along the coastal stretch from Wennappuwa in the Halawatha Division to the Thoduwawa/Chilaw areas up to the Puttalam Division including the Chena Tivilluwa Police area, regular night mobile patrols, motorcycle patrols and other patrols are conducted by respective Police Stations to check suspicious persons and vehicles; intelligence is gathered through informants, intelligence officers and special units; raids are conducted with the assistance of the Navy. - Continuous vehicle and person checks through permanent and snap roadblocks to seize narcotics and other contraband brought via sea. - Increasing and coordinating joint operations between the Navy and Sri Lanka Police. - Establishing a formal procedure to check fisheries harbours. - Obtaining information on previous offenders related to narcotics through Public Security Committees and informants. - Deploying officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau to conduct continuous investigations and surveillance in coastal areas to curb smuggling and apprehend traffickers. - A comprehensive programme with the Ministry of Fisheries and the Police Narcotics Bureau to educate coastal communities on the dangers of importing and trafficking narcotics. - Initiating procurement to obtain ATV/UTV vehicles suitable for coastal patrols for Sri Lanka Police.

¶ 04 (c) Does not arise.