The Hon. Gayan Janaka

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate a proposal to eradicate drugs and organized crime from this country, to recognize its contemporary importance, and to build a new national movement—uniting all people to undertake a great mission. Instead of nurturing a constructive dialogue on how to use this for the country’s advancement, the SJB-led Opposition behaved in a very disruptive manner throughout. We cannot understand why they came dressed in black. They ignore what the country needs and where we are headed. When such incidents keep happening, and a proposal is brought to Parliament to prevent them through a collective effort, why come in black and again disrupt proceedings? Nevertheless, we are not perturbed; we are deeply sensitive to the issue.

¶ 02 As Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said, from January 1, 2025 to date: 1,481 kg of heroin; 32 kg of cocaine; over 552 kg of hashish; 14,610 kg of cannabis; and 2,539 kg of ice—these are in kilograms. Illicit pills and capsules seized total 3,595,332. Also, 1,947 illegal firearms have been seized. Where is the country heading? This is the foremost challenge before us. Therefore, we must all unite and, through a collective effort, defeat drugs and organized crime. The necessity is felt across the country; incidents even as recent as yesterday show we must uproot this entirely.

¶ 03 We also know that those connected to these networks panic when we act sensitively and decisively. Throughout history, drugs and organized crime have had political backing. Not everyone, but some who ruled in the past had links, and when consequences rebound upon them, they panic. We are not worried about their panic. Our duty is to inform the people and defeat this.

¶ 04 The nation’s future lies with our youth and our children. What are they facing? Children losing education because parents are addicted; parents pressured by violence and neglect from addicted children; families pushed to desperation. This has become a massive social disaster—pervading even universities to the point where parents must think twice before sending a child there. It has spread into revered professions—medicine, law—and religious institutions, and the broader society. Therefore, we must act swiftly to eradicate it—reduce supply, reduce demand, and rehabilitate our youth already trapped.

¶ 05 We, as a Government, understand this challenge, and are establishing rehabilitation centers in every district. At the same time, under the leadership of the President, we are organizing a vast machinery—from grassroots upward—engaging religious leaders and civil society. We invite all citizens, religious leaders and civil organizations to unite to eradicate drugs and organized crime, and work together. Thank you.