President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed officials to establish a mechanism to actively engage parents in protecting children from the drug menace. He emphasised that protecting children from this menace depends more on strong parent-child relationships than on the law alone. He also stressed the need to directly educate parents on the seriousness of the drug menace and how to monitor their children’s behaviour.

The President issued these instructions while participating in a meeting of the “A Nation United” National Steering Committee, established to eradicate the drug menace from the country, held this morning (30) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The President also highlighted the need for a trusted individual to provide guidance to parents if their children are at risk of being exposed to drug use. He noted that parents generally seek the assistance of a teacher or religious leader in such situations. Accordingly, he instructed officials to develop a systematic programme to provide reliable guidance, taking this into consideration. He also pointed out the need for special training if teachers are to be involved in this programme.

The President further emphasised the need to strengthen the programme being implemented to dismantle the distribution networks linked to the drug trade.

It was also noted that the number of forensic reports completed daily has increased following the expansion of facilities and improved efficiency at the Government Analyst’s Department. A total of 8,000 forensic reports related to drugs were completed during September alone. Data entry activities have also been strengthened with the assistance of Navy personnel. It was further revealed that the improved efficiency in obtaining forensic reports has enabled a significant number of persons remanded in custody for drug-related offences to be released on bail, thereby helping to reduce prison overcrowding.

The President also instructed officials to refer the new Bill on drug control, which has been presented to Parliament, to the Committee in the first week of October, obtain approval and take steps to have it passed by Parliament by the third week of October.

Discussions were also held on developing a centralised digital system and software linking the Police, the Government Analyst’s Department, the Department of Prisons and the judicial system. The President instructed officials to discuss the matter with the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and other relevant officials and take steps to address the practical issues involved.

The President also inquired into the measures taken to facilitate the direct submission of expert reports and Government Analyst’s reports to the courts by email, in accordance with the Act No. 07 of 2025. He also reviewed the measures taken to fill vacancies in the Legal Draftsman’s Department.

Programmes implemented in international schools to combat the drug menace and their effectiveness were also reviewed.

The President also highlighted the need to develop social media programmes targeting the younger generation to raise awareness of the dangerous consequences of drug use.

Discussions were also held on the drug-related challenge spreading in the Northern and Eastern regions following the war, and the programmes being implemented to address this challenge.

The President also highlighted the importance of maintaining the 1818 hotline, introduced to provide information on drug trafficking, distribution and related illegal activities and conducting a publicity programme on the response to information received through the 1818 hotline to strengthen public confidence in the service.

The President also reviewed the progress of the rehabilitation process, including measures to increase the capacity of rehabilitation centres.

The Maha Sangha, including Most Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thera, the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Waleboda Gunasiri Thera, Anunayake of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Most Venerable Kuppiyawatte Bodhananda Thera, together with members of the clergy, including Reverend Nishantha Fernando, Sri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal, Muththusamy Alagesan Kurukkal and Sheikh Mohamed Arkam Nooramith Moulavi, also participated in the occasion.

Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ayesha Jinaseena, other ministry secretaries, government officials, the Inspector General of Police, and representatives of the security forces, including the Commanders of the three Armed Forces, Members of the “A Nation United” National Steering Committee were also present.

[PMD]

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the upcoming 2027 Budget will place priority on waste management, waste reduction and recycling, emphasising that what should be left for future generations is not contaminated soil or seas filled with plastic, but a clean and green environment where they can breathe freely and live healthy lives.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd International Conference on “Plastic, Innovation and Environmental Sustainability”, organised by The Open University of Sri Lanka, held today (30 September) at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo.

Held under the theme “Eco-Friendly Innovations,” the conference focused on minimising environmental damage caused by plastic waste, introducing environmentally friendly alternatives, developing circular economy models and promoting sustainable waste management. Addressing the conference, the Prime Minister further pointed out that plastic pollution is not merely an environmental issue, but a global challenge directly linked to the climate crisis.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the uncontrolled accumulation and disposal of waste poses a serious threat to both public life and the environment, and that the destruction of natural resources in the name of economic development cannot be considered meaningful development. The Prime Minister stated that several major projects are planned to be implemented under the Clean Sri Lanka national programme, including the “Pivithuru Purawara” National Waste Management Project, which will be implemented during the 2027–2029 period at a cost of Rs. 34 billion.

The Prime Minister further stated that the project aims to minimise the disposal of non-biodegradable waste, including plastic, into the environment, while expanding recycling and compost production. She also emphasised that laws and regulations alone are insufficient to ensure environmental protection, and that a sense of responsibility towards the environment must be cultivated through the education system itself. The Prime Minister also stated that steps are being taken through the new education reforms to practically integrate environmental education, plastic and waste management, and circular economy concepts into the school curriculum. She added that the “Green Schools” concept will be promoted at school level, encouraging children to adopt “Zero Waste” practices from an early age. In addition, the Prime Minister called on universities and researchers to adopt an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together fields such as engineering and social sciences, in order to develop practical and innovative solutions to these challenges.

The occasion was attended by the Vice Chancellor of The Open University of Sri Lanka Senior Professor P. M. P. C. Thilakarathne, Professor J. M. A. Manathunga, Professor Banduni Athapattu, Professor Alex Lin, members of the academic panel, local and international researchers, officials of the Ministry of Environment, and a group of university students were also present at the occasion. Prime Minister’s Media Division

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]