President vows relentless, years-long crackdown to eradicate drug networks

PRESIDENT Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday pledged an uncompromising, years-long national campaign to dismantle Sri Lanka’s drug networks, warning that the country’s future is at risk unless the “deeply rooted” drug economy and its political links are eliminated.

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Addressing the Southern Province program of the “A Nation United” mission at the Tangalle Public Stadium, the President said drug addiction and the parallel criminal economy have devastated families, fuelled organised crime, and corrupted parts of the State system.

He said hundreds of thousands of youth have fallen victim to addiction, collapsing family units and driving widespread fear across communities.

“A country cannot progress when burdened by drug-related crime and corruption. This menace has engulfed the future of our nation,” he asserted.

Dissanayake accused past political leaders of nurturing armed groups and underworld figures linked to drug trafficking, giving them protection and influence within State structures.

“Underworld leaders once sat on political executive committees and even worked within Presidential security divisions,” he said, adding that the present Government provides “no political protection to any criminal.”