We’re ready to fight drug trafficking

Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake has said the Army is prepared to undertake the task of eradicating the drug menace from Sri Lanka if they were provided with the necessary powers to do so.

“Drug smuggling poses the biggest threat to our country. The Army is already playing a role in helping to curb this menace by exchanging intelligence with the Police and the Special Task Force. We pass on to the Police any information we receive from both internal and external sources. So does the Navy and the Air Force,” he told the media after attending the 69th Anniversary of the Flagblessing-ceremony at the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.

The Army Commander said the government was likely to provide them with the necessary powers to carry out the task of curbing the drug menace.

“Drug prevention should be carried out with the coordination of all agencies concerned,” he said and referring to the northern people commemorating the Tamil civilians killed in the war was no big issue because it was their right to do so.

“However, commemorating the LTTE is a different matter. In that case we need to be cautious and concerned. But a programme of that nature lasting for about one hour or so will in no way pose a threat to national security. That should not to be interpreted as a breakdown in national security,” the Commander said.

He said all three forces were well geared to face any potential threats to national security at any time.

“But such questions do not arise at present,” the Commander said.