"Drug Cartels Threaten Nations," Sri Lanka President Warns at UN General Assembly

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for urgent global cooperation to combat the escalating threat of drug trafficking and organized crime.

“Drugs and organized crimes linked to drugs have become a serious concern to this world,” President Dissanayake declared, citing the World Drug Report 2025 published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as evidence of the growing crisis.

He warned that drug cartels are no longer confined to borders, but are “turning entire states into their hunting grounds,” posing a grave threat to global health, politics, and overall well-being.

The President emphasized that while Sri Lanka is taking effective steps to address the issue domestically, the scale of the problem demands a unified international response. He urged member states to strictly enforce laws against traffickers, prevent them from seeking refuge across borders, and invest in rehabilitation centers to support recovery efforts.

“I respectfully request all of you to join in the effort to implement the Global Agenda on Drugs and Crime,” he said, calling for a renewed commitment to justice, prevention, and rehabilitation.