LET US UNITE TO FIGHT DRUGS WHICH DESTROY LIVES: PRESIDENT
President Maithripala Sirisena said that all must unite to create a strong opinion in society about drug abuse, which destroys lives and increases poverty among the people.
He made these remarks while participating in the eighth phase of the “Drug Free Country” National Drug Prevention Programme, held at the Outdoor Stadium of the Jaffna Central College.
The President requested all citizen to fulfill their respective duties towards the country and the nation while contributing to the initiatives taken by the government to build a drug free nation.
President Sirisena pointed out that the most serious social ill that prevailed in the North today was the drug menace and all should unite to save the people from falling prey to drugs.
In 2015 the people of Jaffna had spent an estimated Rs. 2,206 million on drugs and narcotics. Since the beginning of the year to present, 194 kgs of Kerala cannabis had been seized in raids and 13 suspects arrested in connection to drug related crimes. Many of them were between the ages of 20 and 25, he said.
The President pointed out that only through strict regulations, actions and policies, could we bring the drug menace under control. If we do these things in a proper manner we can control the spread of drugs in the country, he said.
“Education is a treasure and an asset on which human society could be established. It is the most pragmatic, safe and error-free way to resolve any problem faced by society. No country could achieve its social, religious, cultural and economic goals with an uneducated populace. The perils of drug use, alcoholism, smoking, violence and all other crimes have a correlation to a good education. Therefore, the sure way to rid ourselves of the drug menace is to make sure we provide our citizens a proper education, President Sirisena stressed, adding the most precious asset to any country was an enlightened younger generation.
President Sirisena also promised a hostel as a gift to the 200-year-old school and added he would release Rs. 10 million to kick-start construction on it as only three months remained in the year. The necessary funds to complete the project will be granted in 2017, he assured.
The programme has been jointly organized by the Presidential Task Force on Drug Prevention and the Jaffna District Secretariat.
During the ceremony, the President pinned official badges on five students who committed themselves to the prevention of the drug menace. Awards were also presented to the officials of the Sri Lanka Police Department and the Civil Defence Department for their valuable services in the fight against drug use.
Several ministers and MPS, including Minister Sagala Ratnayake, State Ministers V. Radhakrishnan, Vijayakala Maheswaran, Angajan Ramanathan, Former Minister, Douglas Devananda, State officials, and others participated in this event.
Education is a treasure and an asset on which human society could be established. It is the most pragmatic, safe and error-free way to resolve any problem faced by society. No country could achieve its social, religious, cultural and economic goals with an uneducated populace Therefore, the sure way to rid ourselves of the drug menace is to make sure we provide our citizens a proper education