by Staff Writer 31-03-2019 | 8:55 PM
COLOMBO (News 1st) - A rally to eradicate drugs from the country was held in Mattakkuliya this afternoon under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena.
Several rallies led by religious leaders of all faiths arrived from Modera, Wattala and Grandpass areas.
After the rallies converged at the Vistwyke ground in Mattakkuliya a special public meeting was held with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The president addressed the crowd at the ground.
He noted that the government managed to carry out several programmes to eradicate drugs, unlike any other governments. He noted that previous governments' lack of involvement in drug eradication had left the society deteriorated.
However, none of the previous governments had carried out drug prevention programmes like this government. That is why society had deteriorated to this state due to drugs. He added that three months since his acquisition of the police the enthusiasm of the STF, Police and Narcotic Bureau had escalated.
He noted that drug dealers have acquired power even to topple governments and make governments in their favour, and he added that he would not allow this. He noted that he has the support of the people and would impose the death penalty on drug convicts and to build a country with strong laws and punishment.