The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law – Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, what we pass today completes a gap in the law relating to the drug network—specifically, the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment). We already have the Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, No. 1 of 2008, with provisions regarding ice (methamphetamine), but punishments were lenient. We now strengthen punishments for ice through this Amendment.

¶ 02 On 30 October last year, under the leadership of the Hon. President, we launched the national anti-drug operation “Country Together” at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, and have since established District Committees, Divisional Committees, and Village Public Security Committees—creating a powerful mechanism.

¶ 03 The drug network has two sides: supply and demand. On supply, today’s Amendment addresses a crucial need—legal coverage for interdictions on the high seas. Without this, when drugs are seized in deep sea, legal hurdles arise in bringing offenders under our law. This gap is now closed.

¶ 04 Regarding the supply chain, historically the top of the chain remained outside—India, Nepal, Indonesia, Pakistan. I am pleased to say that under this Government we have correctly identified and attacked the supply chain. By Police Day, we will have taken into custody and brought to Sri Lanka the biggest international suppliers. Some are already under arrest overseas; due to the differing laws of those countries, transfers are delayed, but all will be brought here.

¶ 05 We have also received, through our channels, requests from persons within the supply chain seeking to surrender, acknowledging that the law is now being enforced without “partnerships.” This shows our pressure is working.

¶ 06 On demand, previously rehabilitation was only via court orders. Now, through the National Authority on Dangerous Drugs, we are establishing large voluntary rehabilitation centres in every district. The President has directed that there be two or three in each district. I visited the Ampara Civil Security camp’s voluntary rehabilitation centre last week; there were 53 youths aged 14 to 21. This shows our dual approach—suppress supply and reduce demand.

¶ 07 We have brought necessary legal changes for effective implementation. I regularly discuss with Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara how to promptly destroy seized drugs. Under the President’s leadership, with the Justice Ministry Secretary, a Cabinet Appointed Committee is studying this, and we expect the Minister to bring proposals to this House shortly.

¶ 08 Further, we should consider legislation to deny bail to those arrested for trafficking—keeping them on remand until conclusion of trial. But there is the challenge of overcrowded prisons. The Minister of Justice will address necessary prison reforms and legal changes.

¶ 09 Last month we passed the Proceeds of Crime Act—directly relevant to drug crimes. Under it, we have already frozen assets amounting to Rs. 3,089 million; 1,295,409 assets/items have been brought under special operations. This proves the Government is carrying out a massive campaign against drugs.

¶ 10 Yet, what does the Opposition do? This morning, Ajith Perera reportedly called Matugama Police and Kalutara Police to ask if drug prevalence had reduced or increased, and then declared “increased.” Is that serious oversight? Furthermore, he falsely claimed that ordinary people and media cannot enter the Special High Court. The Courts have answered that. As a lawyer, why stoop to such falsehoods?

¶ 11 An attempt was made to frame our Hon. Member Shanta Padmakumara with a cannabis sapling and then rush to a press conference; it is now before court and becoming clear he is not involved.

¶ 12 The Opposition behaves like a crab hauled ashore—thrashing about when out of depth—seeking to make noise when they have nothing substantive to say. The Opposition Leader even spoke of gas “queues” today—seeing in dreams what does not exist. We have followed due tender process; even if there are delays, the process is proper and at lower cost.

¶ 13 Yesterday, Namal Rajapaksa claimed the Government stands behind organized crime gangs. Yet it was their time that left the deep sea open for such activity. Now, as we close those loopholes, they level accusations at us.

¶ 14 Certain unparliamentary expressions directed at the Hon. Speaker, the Prime Minister, and our women Members have been used in this House; such conduct is disgraceful. The Opposition tries to smear us to mask their own stench. They also try to inject communalism. Let me be clear: the NPP leaves no room for racism. Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays—we advance national unity. The Opposition is starved of relevance and feeds on communalism; we are dismantling that.

¶ 15 We should show due regard to the Opposition Leader, but under the Constitution we are crafting, his role…