President seeks public support to combat drug menace

COLOMBO (News1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has sought the assistance of the people to eradicate the drug menace and to divulge information on illegal drug rackets. "Provide us with information. It is easier for us to nab them on the village level then," the President said as he met with the people in capital Colombo on Tuesday. He also attended several rallies held in support of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidates contesting the parliamentary election. The President said he has instructed authorities to procure furniture from local manufacturers for state institutions. During a meeting in Badulla, the people had suggested the President to initiate a mechanism under which prisoners can generate information for the maintenance of prisons. Another request was to reduce the weight of the school bag carried by an average school student.