The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we are discussing key Amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs law. Drug use can ruin the country and future society, pushing it down a destructive path. We may not know who profits, but it is true that drugs are destroying society.

¶ 02 Concepts such as “Clean Sri Lanka” and a “drug-free nation” must be realized in practice. The Government should implement appropriate plans to achieve this.

¶ 03 During the time when parts of Batticaloa such as Padduvankarai were under LTTE control, drug use there was prevented; after the war ended in 2009 and the area came under government control, drug use increased. Law enforcement—Police, Excise, STF, and the Army—must act effectively to curb this.

¶ 04 Another point: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who served four terms as Chief Minister of Gujarat, transformed that state into a drug-free state; that recognition aided his rise and second term as Prime Minister, and possibly a third. Likewise, Sri Lanka must become a nation free of drug use, trafficking, and destructive activities so everyone can benefit.

¶ 05 A report in the press stated that over 230,000 students in Colombo are habituated to drugs, according to a senior police officer. If the school community is being destroyed like this, past governments must be held accountable. The name of Sampath Manamperi is being cited regarding drug matters—portrayed as a big figure, linked to the underworld, in a former President’s security division, in intelligence, and allegedly involved in the Raviraj killing. If such a person had close links with politicians, it shows how deeply drugs have penetrated politics.

¶ 06 In the past, the ruling side called the LTTE “terrorists.” In Batticaloa, the Padduvankarai area under LTTE control had a drug-free environment; but now there is illicit distillation of kasippu and toddy. In remote hamlets, such activities are common. As a result, domestic violence, murders, and child abuse are increasing. Laws must be strong to eradicate these; police must enforce them strictly. It is not enough to simply count cases filed—a systematic approach is needed to ban drugs and protect our nation and future society.

¶ 07 Another issue: in some places, due to labour shortages, fishermen use tractors or machinery to haul shore seine wings. The Fisheries Minister should study this, and if justified, allow mechanical assistance where human labour is insufficient.

¶ 08 Hon. Presiding Member, my time is ending.

¶ 09 Sir, one more minute, please.

¶ 10 On human-elephant conflict: in Vavunativu, Kothiyapulai, Mangikattu, Mantivu, Thumpankeni, Sandiveli, and surrounding areas, elephants have caused harm. Recently, elephants entered Valachchenai town and killed two people; in Magilavettuvan, a mother was killed; last year in Siththandi, elephants attacked children. I ask the Department of Wildlife Conservation—additional to the three existing offices in Batticaloa, three more have been approved—please establish them, appoint adequate staff, and protect people from elephant incursions.

¶ 11 My time has ended. One more point in conclusion: Paddy sales are ongoing, with a guaranteed price, but farmers are struggling to meet it. I request action on this issue as well. I conclude. Thank you.