News
Key step taken towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s fight against narcotics
A key step towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s fight against narcotics was taken yesterday, when a high-level committee appointed to remove legal barriers to the swift destruction of seized drugs met at the Presidential Secretariat under the government’s ‘Ratama Ekata’ national programme.
The meeting focused on long-standing delays in destroying confiscated narcotics — an issue that has frequently drawn public attention and concern.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stressed that expediting the destruction of seized drug stocks is vital to ensuring public trust in the State’s campaign against narcotics.
“The public must have confidence that the government’s programme to eradicate the drug menace is being carried out transparently and effectively. Therefore, it is essential that narcotics taken into custody are destroyed as quickly as possible under proper legal procedures,” the President said.
Officials noted that prolonged storage of seized drugs due to legal and procedural barriers had created challenges for enforcement agencies and raised questions among the public.
Representatives from the judiciary, Police and the Government Analyst’s Department discussed practical difficulties faced under the current system, including delays related to court procedures, evidence handling and laboratory verification.
Following extensive discussions, it was decided to proceed with the approval process of the amended draft legislation after incorporating the necessary revisions.
The proposed legal reforms are expected to strengthen the government’s anti-drug drive and enhance the efficiency and credibility of operations carried out to eliminate narcotics from Sri Lanka.
By Ifham Nizam
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Air Chief Marshal Kolitha A. Gunathilake (Retd.) as the new Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
The letter of appointment was presented to Air Chief Marshal Kolitha A. Gunathilake (Retd.) by Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (05) afternoon.
Air Chief Marshal Kolitha A. Gunathilake(Retd.) has served as Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and as Chief of Defence Staff.
(PMD)
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
Rumesh Tharanga among nominees announced for World Athlete of the Year 2026
New Chancellor appointed to General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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