The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, at a time when the national “Country Together” operation is being implemented under the theme “A country free of intoxication—a joyful tomorrow,” the Amendments we debate today—to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and to the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978—are most timely.

¶ 02 Through these Bills, we aim to fill a longstanding gap in our law. We are an island, and it is fortunate that most toxic narcotics are not produced here. Cannabis is produced domestically, and there was an attempt in Tangalle by a prominent Pohottuwa activist to import precursor chemicals by container to start an ice (methamphetamine) production facility; thanks to our investigative officers’ competence, it was thwarted. We believe ice is still not produced locally. Heroin, cocaine, opium, pills—most are not produced here. Therefore they enter either by air or by sea. Air routes involve the airport and entail obstacles, so volumes are lower. By sea, large quantities come, as seen in recent years by multi-kilo seizures.

¶ 03 From 01.01.2025 to 05.01.2026, 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/capsules were seized—mostly in maritime interdictions. However, there was a major legal gap: while we had authority over land, territorial waters, and the Exclusive Economic Zone, we lacked judicial power to investigate, arrest, and prosecute for narcotics offences committed on the high seas aboard vessels. Under these two Amendments, that gap will be closed. Once passed and certified, our Supreme Court will have jurisdiction over such offences committed on the high seas, allowing arrests, bringing suspects to Sri Lanka, and prosecuting them. This will advance our “country free of intoxication” policy.

¶ 04 The NPP Government is acting across multiple fronts: controlling spread nationwide; rehabilitating addicts; preventing new initiation; and empowering communities from the grassroots up through the “Country Together” national operation committees at national, district, divisional, and GN levels, to build resistance to drugs. Globally, about 13 percent of countries report increases in drug use; Sri Lanka too has seen rising use, especially among youth.

¶ 05 Hon. Presiding Member, my time is over—please grant one more minute; I will conclude swiftly.

¶ 06 Our youth are the main victims. These Bills, once law, will be pillars for establishing the national policy of a drug-free Sri Lanka. I conclude.

¶ 07 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.