Sri Lanka Considers Death Penalty for Drug Crimes

COLOMBO (News 1st); The possibility of imposing the death penalty for drug-related offences has been discussed at the “Ratama Ekata” National Operations Council, as the government intensifies efforts to combat the country's growing narcotics crisis.

The high-level meeting was held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The “Ratama Ekata” National Operations Council focused on the growing threat posed by dangerous narcotics, noting that the problem has now expanded far beyond individual drug users and has become a serious challenge to the country's economic and social wellbeing.

Discussions highlighted that the vast wealth generated through drug trafficking has created a criminal ecosystem that now poses a significant threat to the national economy, the tourism industry and the country's moral and social fabric.

The need to enforce stricter laws to create a society that rejects drug trafficking and related criminal activity was also among the key issues discussed by the National Operations Council.

President Dissanayake emphasized the need for both practical action and a rapid transformation in public attitudes if the country is to eradicate the narcotics menace.

The President also noted that the government expects the active participation of religious leaders, parents and community organizations in this national effort.

The meeting was informed that amendments relating to narcotics control and the granting of bail have already been drafted and are in the final stages of completion. The proposed legal reforms are expected to be gazetted shortly before being presented to Parliament.

It was also revealed that the process of issuing Government Analyst reports, which had been a major cause of delays in narcotics-related court cases, has been significantly accelerated. In July alone, 6,414 Government Analyst reports were issued.

To expedite legal proceedings involving prison inmates affected by delays in forensic reports, the President instructed officials to introduce a clear classification system based on the quantity of narcotics seized, including categories such as below five grams and below ten grams.

He also directed the Department of Government Analyst, the Police and the Department of Prisons to establish stronger coordination mechanisms to ensure that suspects are produced before courts immediately after the necessary reports are received.

The President further reviewed measures being taken to expand the capacity and facilities of the Department of Government Analyst. Officials informed the meeting that assistance from the Sri Lanka Navy is being utilized as well.

President Dissanayake also instructed officials to allocate the necessary funds for the installation of surveillance camera systems.

The current situation inside prisons was another key area of discussion. The council was informed that recent unrest at the prisons in Negombo, Mahara, Magazine, Pallansena and Kuruwita had resulted in property damage exceeding Rs. 255 million.

The meeting also discussed increasing the involvement of psychiatric professionals within prisons as part of efforts to reduce violent and disruptive behaviour among inmates.