New laws to fight drug menace – PM
The government is looking towards bringing in new laws to fight the drug menace in the country this year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a ceremony organized by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) to mark the International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking, last evening.
“Legal reforms also play a major role. The government will take several steps in strengthening the law to prevent drug trafficking and usage. Discussions are on to bring in a Bill to Control Organized Crime. This alone is not sufficient. More stringent laws are needed to stop illegal importation of drugs. We need to decide whether the offenders are tried under normal law or whether the police are given special powers to deal with them” the Prime Minister said.
It is also essential to focus on how the Attorney General deals with court cases on drug smuggling and distribution. Offenders would have a favourable situation if the cases drag on. Sri Lanka needs to develop close ties with countries which fight drugs. Both short-term and mid-term measures should be successfully carried out to fight this menace. Further it is essential to introduce severe punishments for the offenders, he added. Further he said legislation pertaining to the NDDCB will also be amended to give more powers to it.
“When it comes to Sri Lanka what is mostly cultivated is Ganja. The Police, Air Force and the Special Task Force are working towards eradicating this illegal cultivation. We need to determine whether the army should be put in charge of controlling this unlawful cultivation. Then the focus should be on the illegal distribution. Usage of drugs has increased in the country. The Civil Defence Force, police and others can play a role in preventing illegal distribution within the country.,” he added.