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Thousands arrested in Sri Lanka’s week-long anti-drug operation

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Drug raids are not uncommon in Sri Lanka (pic BBC)

BBC has reported that Police in Sri Lanka have claimed to have arrested almost 15,000 people during a week-long drive against drug traffickers across the country.

The police also say the operation led to the seizure of almost 440kg of various types of narcotics, including heroin.

Local media showed footage of officers using sniffer dogs to search homes in Colombo and other places.

Rights activists said the raids were illegal as they were conducted without search warrants. A police spokesman told the BBC that warrants were not always required to check for drugs.

Officials say that a total of 13,666 suspects were arrested during the operation and that 1,097 addicts have been sent to a military-run rehabilitation centre. Vehicles and property belonging to alleged criminals were also seized.

Activists have said the raids targeted underprivileged neighbourhoods.

According to experts, traffickers are using Sri Lanka as a hub, and the drugs passing through the country – including heroin, hashish and cannabis – are creating serious problems.

Officials say the searches have been paused for Christmas but will resume next week.

Sri Lanka’s biggest drug haul by weight was in December 2016, when police seized 800kg of cocaine.

(BBC)



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Draft of the Appropriation Bill for the Financial Year 2027  su mitted to the Parliament

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Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted to the preparation of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year of 2027 at their meeting held on 30.06.2026.

Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been given to the Appropriation Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the aforementioned draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.

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Cabinet approves aditional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase 2026 Yala harvest

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide an additional Rs. 2,500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board on a reimbursable basis from the Rs. 7,500 million additional allocations granted to the Ministry to implement
the expedited paddy purchasing program for the 2026 Yala harvest.

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Cabinet nod to host the 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

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The 8th Asian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the 3rd Joint Asian and South-East Asian Regional Conference of the CPA are planned to be held over three days in Colombo during April/May 2027.

Approximately 90 delegates including speakers, Deputy Speakers, Member of Parliamentarians, and Parliamentary officers representing member countries of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in the Asian and South-East Asian regions, are expected to participate in these conferences.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister of the Parliament of Sri Lanka to host the said conferences considering the opportunities to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and regional cooperation, as well as to enhance international recognition of the Parliament of Sri Lanka within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

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