Religious conference held by the President with a large gathering of monks (photos)

From 2022, when only one youth under 18 years was arrested with ice drug, Sri Lanka has tragically progressed to a situation where even children aged between 5 and 14 years have fallen victim to drugs. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that the 'black state' created within the country through a massive drug market worth 224 billion rupees will be completely dismantled.

The President made this statement yesterday (05) afternoon while addressing the year-long evaluation and religious conference of the "Iwatwenu" (Get Out) operation held at Temple Trees. He requested all religious leaders to take on the primary role of creating an ideological and attitudinal transformation in society to defeat the scourge of illicit drugs. Concurrently, the President also launched the official website of the "Ratama Ekata" (The Whole Country Together) national operation, www.1818.gov.lk.

The President, with statistics, pointed out how the drug menace has spread from children to adults, encompassing the state machinery including the police and armed forces, as well as revered religious institutions. By 2025, 1,874 youths under 18 years have been arrested with ice drug. Additionally, 1,068 children aged between 14 and 18, 13 children aged between 5 and 14, and hundreds of girls have also been arrested for drug offenses. Among these, 10,889 youths aged between 18 and 21, and 11,737 youths over 21 years are also part of those arrested. He sensitively recalled how this great monster is devouring the future of children right before the eyes of parents who dedicate their entire lives to them.

The scale of this catastrophe is such that a total of 438,330 kilograms of various drugs have been seized this year alone. This includes 6,528 kg of ice, 4,000 kg of heroin, 1,841 kg of hashish, 314 kg of cocaine, nearly 45 million drug pills, and 2,598 kg of other drugs. Yesterday morning, 150 kg of ice and heroin were also seized. The total value of these seized drugs, including cannabis, is 224 billion rupees.

The President revealed that drug traffickers have managed to buy not only the Customs, Department of Motor Traffic, Department of Immigration and Emigration, and the Police, but even politicians through this enormous black money. He pointed out that in the past, leading drug traffickers became chairmen of local government bodies, building political enterprises, and emphasized that a trustworthy future for children cannot be created without dismantling this black state.

To dismantle this network and criminal mechanism, the government has already taken stringent measures. Underworld members who terrorized villages and towns under various names have been arrested, and 67 organized criminals hiding abroad have been repatriated. International red notices have been issued for another 112 individuals, and their assets worth 4,500 million rupees have been frozen. Furthermore, the President revealed that 97 T-56 automatic firearms, 143 pistols, 105 revolvers, and one AK-47 firearm, which audit reports revealed had even left military camps, were seized this year.

A large number of leading religious leaders from across the island joined this occasion to express support for this crucial operation to eradicate the drug network. The Mahanayake Theros present included Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri, Anunayake of Malwathu Chapter; Venerable Narampanawe Ananda, Anunayake of Asgiri Chapter; Venerable Balapitiye Siri Seevali, Registrar General of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha; and Venerable Waleleboda Gunasiri, Anunayake of Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya. Catholic priests, including His Eminence Bishop Harold Anthony Perera; Hindu priests, including Shri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal; and Moulavis, including Sheikh Mohamed Arkam Nooraddin, also participated.

This conference, attended by ministers including Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Sunil Senevi, as well as state officials, tri-forces commanders, the Inspector General of Police, artists, athletes, and numerous journalists, clearly affirmed the necessity for the entire society to unite against the drug menace.