The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration

¶ 01 [12.19 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today’s Debate concerns the fight against drugs and restoring law and order. When Minister Ananda Wijepala spoke, some in the Opposition could not bear to listen and became agitated. If we are suppressing the underworld, decent citizens need not panic; if anyone is jittery, let the record reflect accordingly.

¶ 03 No one is going to kill anyone. Do not act timid. We will ensure Members’ security.

¶ 04 Returning to the topic: many pay lip service about ending drugs; the real test is implementation. Since 1977, most governments looked away—or worse, connected with the underworld and drug networks for benefit. As Minister Wijepala noted, from “Gonawela Sunil” to “Soththi Upali,” to “Beddagana Sanjeewa” and “Chambotta,” these underworld-politics linkages are well known. Drugs and the underworld are intertwined. This Government is not connected to them and does not assist them. Our national operation aims to dismantle the supply chain entirely.

¶ 05 We accept that the Weligama Chairman’s killing must be investigated and offenders punished. But when we arrest offenders, do not oppose for its own sake. Unlike in the past when suspects died in custody, today those arrested live to name names; the Minister will reveal those names in due course. Only those with links need be afraid.

¶ 06 To build a “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” for every law-abiding citizen, we must also ensure that offenders face prison, not prosperity. Under Minister Wijepala’s leadership, Police and the Tri-Forces are intercepting kg-level consignments, discovering domestic ice-manufacturing (notably “Iceland” at Mideniya, figuratively speaking of a hub), and curbing supply. We are also bringing legislative amendments so that offenders apprehended on the high seas—even foreign crew—can be prosecuted here, not only within territorial waters.

¶ 07 We invite all, including the Opposition, to join the President’s programme against drugs launching on the 30th. Supply suppression alone is insufficient; society must engage to reduce demand. Artists can contribute through song and verse; religious leaders can carry the message to homes; professionals—lawyers, doctors—have duties. We must end exploitative practices where contractors pay workers with drugs instead of wages to extract more labour.

¶ 08 Those addicted are patients needing treatment; traffickers must be jailed. We ask the public to bring information without fear; the Police have been reformed to prevent leaks to the underworld. Bring your loved ones voluntarily to rehabilitation; the State recognizes addiction as a health issue requiring compassion.

¶ 09 We will continue until the country is free of drugs and a healthy society is achieved. The operation launching on the 30th will succeed. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.