Sri Lanka to tighten laws against Crystal Meth (ICE); Death Penalty on the cards

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Public Security has taken steps to strengthen the laws and regulations in combating crystal methamphetamine or ICE.

Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi says necessary amendments in this regard will be made to the 'Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance', as soon as possible. 

At present, those who possess or smuggle the narcotic substance ICE are released on bail after being produced in court.

According to the new amendments, those who possess or smuggle 05 grams or more of ICE will not be eligible for bail, and if they are proven guilty, they will likely receive either the death penalty or life imprisonment. 

Hettiarachchi says that crystal methamphetamine is found in abundance among smugglers in the country. 

Chairperson of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) Dr. Priyangi Amarabandu says the rate of arrests made over the possession and smuggling of ICE, has risen by 225 fold since 2017. 

She pointed out that in 2017 only SIX people were arrested for the possession of crystal methamphetamine, whereas a staggering 13,720 people were arrested for possessing crystal methamphetamine in 2021. 

According to Dr. Amarabandu, the arrests for the possession and use of crystal methamphetamine are the third highest number of narcotic-related arrests in the country. 

She says crystal methamphetamine was initially used in nightclubs, adding that now it is used by Heroin addicts as well, with a majority of users found to be in the age group of 22 to 26.

Dr. Amarabandu noted that those who use crystal methamphetamine are polydrug users who are addicted to different types of narcotics such as Heroin, Ecstasy, and Cannabis.

She added that there is a special program for the rehabilitation of those addicted to crystal methamphetamine.