News

Yukthiya anti-drug and crime operation 75 percent successful, says DIG Waruna Jayasundara

Published

2 years ago

2024/03/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

DIG Waruna Jayasundara (L) / DIG Nihal Thalduwa (R)

Next step is to press home advantage with tri-forces help

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The aim of the Yukthiya anti-drug and crime operation was to arrest the second tier of the Sri Lankan drug trade, i.e., those who sell drugs, Commander of the Police Special Task Force (STF), DIG Waruna Jayasundara said.

DIG Jayasundera said that on top of the drug network were underworld kingpins living abroad and at the bottom tier are drug addicts, adding that before the operation was launched, the police identified about 4,000 people who were selling drugs around the country.

“Yukthiya is one of the most successful anti-drug and crime operations carried out by the Sri Lankan police in recent times. Before the operation was launched, the IGP told us that this network of drug dealers had to be broken within three months. We have arrested about 75 percent of the identified drug dealers by now.”

Jayasundara said that during the operation a large number of drug addicts, as well as large quantities of drugs, had been detected, and since December 17 they had destroyed 50 acres of cannabis.

Those involved in the Yukthiya operation had met over the past weekend and decided to seek the help of the tri-forces to fast-track the goals of the initiative, the STF commandant said.

The police with the aid of the tri-forces would intensify the operation in a bid to crush the network within the next month, he said.

“The drug addicts we arrest are sent to rehabilitation. We also focus on eradicating crime. A large number of criminals, too, have been arrested.”

Police media spokesman, DIG Nihal Thalduwa said they had identified 70 police areas where drugs were prevalent. Each of the police stations had been given five extra personnel so that these police stations could carry out search operations daily.

“Apart from the 4,000 drug dealers we identified before the operation was launched, we have now identified another 2,500 dealers. We initially thought those people are drug addicts but we have now found that they were also involved in drug dealing. The names of these individuals, too, have been sent to police stations.”

The Police Spokesman said they follow a three-pronged approach; one was to arrest drug dealers, second was to obtain detention orders so that the police could question them thoroughly and third was to identify assets acquired with money made through illegal means.

“One can be sentenced to death if one is nabbed with over five grams of hard drugs. Drug dealers know this and try to hire the best lawyer, so we have to be very thorough in our investigations. We have also asked all policemen to treat suspects properly and ensure their fundamental rights are protected.”

Deputy Director Illegal Assets and Property Investigation Unit, SP Anura Premaratna said they had confiscated property worth 735 million rupees since the start of the Yukthiya operation.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for all provinces of Sri Lanka

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 20 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 20 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur most places in the island after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan meets Prime Minister

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday (19) morning at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel; Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and representing the Government of Sri Lanka the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and several other officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 19 April 2026, valid for 20 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.