The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we are debating the Amendment to the Convention against Doping in Sport. The Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency must align with WADA rules and regulations. As the Minister said this morning, since we did not timely update our laws with global updates, our law fell out of compliance—hence this urgent amendment.

¶ 02 An Hon. Member earlier complained that instead of doping in sport, people spoke only of narcotics, making Parliament a joke. But Parliament is precisely where national crises must be discussed. With the scale of the drug problem and public anxiety, we cannot ignore it here.

¶ 03 There were distortions, such as claiming Rs. 5,000 makes children roam, and that students celebrated World Children’s Day with drugs. Do not dump the blame on children. The reality is that children—even 13–14 years old in Colombo—are getting addicted; but this is the result of how drugs were normalized, with political patronage, organized networks linking schools to criminal gangs. Principals and teachers know of drug-using students but fear speaking out due to gang links. We are cleaning this up.

¶ 04 From 1 January 2025 to 24 September 2025: 1,243 kg heroin, 1,845 kg ice, 14,057 kg cannabis/kasippu, 29 kg cocaine, and 472 kg hashish were seized—often from locations not previously known. This shows the scale and network. Dismantling it is not easy; it requires every sector’s support and consistent political backing for honest officers. Past ruling parties gave protective cover; we must signal: “Do your duty; we stand with you.”

¶ 05 This is not just the Government’s or the Public Security Minister’s job; it is a national issue about our children’s future. On the container narrative: when large hauls were seized in Tangalle and Midigama, some partisan media claimed “government’s containers.” The Police Media Spokesman clarified otherwise, and yet the canard continued. Regarding the 323-container issue, the President appointed a Commission; the report has come; CID investigations are ongoing. What more can we do? Let due process proceed. Do not blur accountability by muddying narratives.

¶ 06 On Thajudeen: “Meegahathenna (Midigama) Kajjā’s” wife stated she recognized him in the vehicle following Thajudeen’s car. Yet within hours, some politicians held press conferences—why cry when your name wasn’t even mentioned? Let investigations proceed.

¶ 07 We will continue to speak about this because it is about whether our children become zombies or healthy citizens. We must uproot the drug state and support officers risking their lives. I invite all parties to stand upright together, without trivializing this as a “small matter.” Thank you.