The scourge of Narcotics represents an obsession for Authorities in Sri Lanka where cocaine smugglers using the county as a transit point for their operations and a transit hub to the rest of Asia, authorities constantly seize ships carrying narcotic substances off the southern coast on their way for smuggling.
On the other hand, seven were recently arrested on board a seizure ship which has contained 336 kilograms of heroin, valued at about 3.1 billion rupees. The Sri Lankan authorities have stated that Smugglers taking advantage of the geographical location of the country as a transit hub for their international operations, and Sri Lanka insists that it will not be a conduit for drug Smuggling, which forms the main challenge to Sri Lankan navy officials.
Defense Secretary, Rtd. General (.) Kamal Gunaratne:
“We were able to seize this vessel further in north from Maldives islands. It eludes the capability of the Sri Lankan Naval officials and all those other officers who were involved in this operation. This is a great service which you all have rendered to the country. The President especially emphasized to convey his acknowledgement for the service rendered. This is not our first consignment of seized narcotics nor will it be the last. If we have the same earnestness and sincerity we will be able to seize many more such consignments of narcotics which will be brought in to the country. You all will be the frontlines’ in this task.”
Mr. Ravi Kumudesh – President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science – (CMLS):
“The narcotic issue is one of the foremost crisis that Sri Lanka faces currently. As per my thought it is that the mindset of the people and the country matters, as in falling prey to becoming such a hub in drugs. A culture where people are knowledgeable should be inculcated to bring an end to such a dilemma. Illiteracy goes hand in hand with this use of drugs. To curb such dilemma the law which exists in the country does not facilitate and moreover, the law has more loopholes to thrive the country as a drug hub, but not otherwise. Although, so many governments and many parties came into power, they have not imposed a law to develop the country and curb such malice’s and implement a pragmatic mechanism in the law which could be a technical factor.”
“Now drugs are in demand and high-priced. The stuff is in scarcity in Sri Lanka, since lot of consignments have as been seized as per the President’s statements. If it is curbed totally, it will be a big achievement, which the gratitude could be expressed to the President. Around 300 kilograms of narcotics have been seized as per the information received from my friends. If this could be uprooted from the lowest level, it could be a great achievement.”
Source- A24