The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, when we take today’s topic—especially the current situation tied to drugs—it is in the 1980s that this narcotics scourge rose to prominence. We were schoolchildren then—during the 1980s and 1990s. Drugs did not arrive with the wind or float here over the sea. Now, however, they even come floating ashore because supply routes have been completely disrupted and the Navy is conducting large operations. We also hear that traffickers are using fishing vessels from as far as Pakistan in an organized manner. This was linked to a desire to change the social and political culture that emerged with the open economy, which demanded a black economy and a degraded political culture. That degraded culture began in the 1980s–90s and, four decades on in 2025, successive governments have failed to eradicate it.

¶ 02 Someone said today that this is a weak government. Then were those past governments, which couldn’t fix this for forty years, strong and successful? No. What did they do? For decades they shielded and empowered the underworld and the drug culture. If we list those who governed through those decades, it began with J.R. Jayewardene, Premadasa and Thondaman; every administration carried hidden rocks. What is this Government doing? Without hiding anything, we have the genuine will to change this situation—that is why this proposal is before the House today.

¶ 03 As a Government, led by the Minister of Public Security, we are striving to remove this menace from the country without cover-ups. That is why we are calling everyone to gather at the Sugathadasa Stadium on October 30. Therefore, you did not have to come here in black today; if you wear black, cover from head to toe. None of the Opposition speakers addressed society’s will—the people’s will—behind this proposal. If you can, tell me what is wrong here. After much rhetoric, only one or two said they agree in principle. Yet there is no honest will shown. But as a nation and society, that will exists.

¶ 04 According to our method, to change the drug culture, eradicate the underworld and change the political culture, even if five hundred thousand people oppose, the vast majority want out of the drug and underworld traps. I believe there are around 35,000 inmates—most are victims of this culture, not hardened criminals. Let me share an example from my village: a large bakery that supplied the whole area—a respected “cake boss”—had nine children. One got hooked on drugs after a trafficker first gave him a so-called remedy for a toothache—his first “shot.” Then two sons and a daughter got addicted. They began stealing bread and buns, then vehicle parts from the bakery, and eventually the entire family collapsed. Today the bakery is gone. That is the destruction inflicted on society.

¶ 05 Another friend, a talented cricketer, got pulled into drugs after someone told him he needed a “shot” to study better. Today he meets me on the roadside, calls me “aiyā,” and asks for a small sum. It breaks my heart. If we remain silent or keep covering up, we are all responsible. Please come to Sugathadasa on the 30th—Opposition members too. As a Government we invite all: this social calamity must be changed. Many here are older, but it is our grandchildren who fall victim.