Hidden in the Earth, Poison in the Veins : Meth Confirmed in Major Sri Lanka Drug Bust

COLOMBO (News 1st); A major breakthrough in Sri Lanka’s fight against narcotics was made earlier this month when a hidden stash of chemical substances was unearthed from a pit on a private property in Thorakolayaya, Middeniya.

Subsequent laboratory analysis by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) has confirmed that 17 out of 20 samples contained methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice.”

The discovery was made on September 5, following interrogations of a suspected organized criminal currently in remand custody, known by the alias Backhoe Saman.

Acting on intelligence, authorities raided the location and recovered the concealed chemical stockpile.

The NDDCB collected samples from the site and submitted its findings to the Western North Crimes Division last Friday.

The confirmation of methamphetamine presence has raised serious concerns about the growing prevalence of synthetic drugs in Sri Lanka.

Similar chemical substances were also found in Notolpitiya and Kandana, and samples from these locations are currently undergoing testing.

Reports from these investigations are expected to be handed over to law enforcement next week.

Methamphetamine-related incidents in Sri Lanka were first recorded in 2017, and since then, the drug has spread rapidly across the country.

According to official data from 2024, a staggering 228,450 individuals were arrested for drug-related offenses, with 68,132 arrests specifically linked to methamphetamine — accounting for 29.8% of all drug-related apprehensions.

A recent study revealed that the majority of meth users in Sri Lanka are aged between 19 and 26, highlighting the vulnerability of the youth to synthetic drug abuse.

Speaking to the media, Pradeep Kumara Koholanegedara, Deputy Director of Preventive Education and Training at the NDDCB, explained the devastating effects of methamphetamine:

Physical Effects:

Rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure

Abnormal rise in body temperature

Excessive sweating and dry mouth

Loss of appetite and sleep deprivation

Muscle control issues and tremors

Long-term use leads to:

Tooth decay and gum disease

Skin lesions and premature aging

Respiratory and circulatory system damage

Mental and Emotional Effects:

Extreme aggression and paranoia

Hallucinations and delusional thinking

Emotional numbness and detachment

Suicidal ideation and severe depression

Loss of empathy, compassion, and sexual drive

Social withdrawal and increased vulnerability to abuse

“Methamphetamine directly affects the brain, altering the central nervous system. It strips away a person’s physical beauty, mental stability, and emotional balance. Long-term users often experience irreversible damage,” Koholanegedara warned.