The Drug Menace in Sri Lanka

‘A sound mind in a sound body, is a short but full description of a happy state in this world.’ – John Locke-Thoughts Concerning Education

This column dedicated to the notion of making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia turns its spotlight to day on The Drug Menace and its ill effects on Sri Lankan Society. in an effort to fulfill the aspirations of Sri Lankan society to be rid of the drug menace.

Drug abuse in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka,‘from the sixteenth century until the middle of the twentieth century, the colonial powers regulated the use of opium as a revenue earning measure. Since independence was achieved in 1948, various measures have been taken to scale down the abuse of opium, cannabis and certain psychotropic substances, but not all these efforts have been successful. In the wake of ethnic problems, there has been an increase in the involvement of Sri Lankan nationals in smuggling drugs across national frontiers. The absence of a comprehensive national policy on drug abuse has been a major constraint on law enforcement and the development of interventions for education, treatment, rehabilitation and crop substitution. Sri Lanka is fortunate to have a rich tradition of networks of non-governmental organizations and religious institutions, and these can be mobilized to discourage the use of intoxicating drugs and alcohol.’ The drug abuse problem in Sri Lanka.’(The Drug Abuse Problem in Sri Lanka by D.C.Jayasuriya .Institute of Comparative Health Policy and Law, Nawala)

LTTE and their drug trafficking

The inactivity or reduced activity of the law enforcement agencies and other public sector institutions charged with the control or eradication of the drug trade in Sri Lanka due to the involvement of powerful corrupt politicians have been the root cause of this situation.. However, the LTTE led by Velupillai Prabhakaran were notorious for their

drug smuggling operations throughout Sri Lanka and South and Southeast Asia and many saw them as the root cause of the problem After eradicating terrorism the drug trade is spreading in Sri Lanka due to the protection given by such powerful politicians. The harmful effects, that such proliferation of drugs would cause the youth of our Nation is immeasurable. The addiction to drugs causes the breakdown of families leading to abject poverty and utter misery. The prime cause for the escalation of criminal activities in our country is basically due to the drug menace. Those who thrive on the drug trade and lead luxurious lives on the illegal proceeds of such drug sales should realize the devastation, irreparable damage and misery that they cause to our people. Such selfish criminals feed themselves and their families with the blood and the flesh of our youth, whom they transform into drug addicts, without a care in the world. If such crimes were committed during the reign of the ancient Kings who ruled Sri Lanka, these demons would find themselves either being quartered by their limbs being tied to two coconut trees which have been brought together and later released or by being made to sit on the tip of a sharpened heated iron rod known as the ‘ula’, causing immense pain before ultimate death as it pierces the bowels, to be witnessed by the population. Even such punishment would not suffice to recompense the terrible crime that they commit on our society.

Royal Park murder

The sale of drugs to youngsters who frequent night clubs in Sri Lanka has led to many violent crimes. The Royal Park murder is one such instance where a young girl came by her death at the hands of her boy friend in a most brutal manner. The recent senseless murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, Director General of Trade Union Affaires on the streets of Mulleriyawa has been attributed to a feud that erupted due to a conflict of opinion on the drug trade as has been reported recently in the media. Lord Buddha has said that the sin follows the sinner as the cartwheel follows the bull tied to the cart. There is no escape, whatsoever in this world or the next to the wrongdoer, who will face punishment inevitably.

It was reported in the Groundviews Web Site recently that ‘Â chance discovery by customs officials unraveled smugglers using potatoes as their medium. Samples tested on suspicion from lunch packets of government officials, food offerings at temples, and buffets at army headquarters contained devilled potatoes, potato curry, mashed potatoes and potato balls contained heavy doses of illicit, brain-numbing and fattening chemicals.(See Groundviews: 13 Aug, 2009 Illicit drug abuse in Sri Lanka shows clear signs of worsening)

The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDCB) is the pioneer Government Institution which discharges its functions with an aim to eradicate the drug menace from Sri Lanka. The Alcohol & Drug Information Centre (ADIC – Sri Lanka) was inaugurated in April 1987 but was established as an independent organization in 1990. Today Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) Sri-Lanka has developed to be a well recognized National Resource Centre, promoting drug demand reduction. ADIC is registered under the Voluntary Social Services Act of Sri Lanka and obtained Approved Charity Status in 1992.

There are many reformation processes in Sri Lanka for drug addicts. Effective steps have to be taken by the law enforcement agencies to eradicate the drug menace in Sri Lanka. The program initiated by the President termed the ‘Mathata Thitha’(which means ‘full stop to drugs’)appears to have been transformed in to ‘Thithata Matha’(which means ‘drugs galore’).A nation nurtured in the noble traditions of many great religions including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam seems to be struggling in the stranglehold of drug dealers protected by corrupt politicians, hungry for ill gotten gains at the expense of the well being of the youth of this country, thereby creating untold misery. It is time that the Sri Lankan society calls a spade a spade and commence a concerted effort to eradicate the ugly drug menace form our beautiful motherland, Sri Lanka, known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Let me conclude in lighter vein, with the story of the Indian Government employed Barber and the Politicians, thus:

The Tale of the Indian Government Employed Barber (who is required to cut the hair of Ministers).

While cutting the hair of some Ministers, the Government employed Barber, asked Kapil Sibal,

“What’s this Swiss Bank issue?”

Kapil Sibal shouted, “Are you cutting the hair or making an inquiry?”

Barber: “Sorry Sir, I just simply asked.”

Next day, while cutting the hair, he asked Pranab Mukherjee,

“Sir, what’s this Black money issue?’’

Pranab shouted, “Why do you ask me this question?’’

Barber: “Sorry Sir, I just simply asked you.”

Next day, CBI interrogated the Barber, “Are you an agent of Baba Ramdev?” Barber: “No Sir.”

CBI: “Are you the agent of Anna?” Barber: “No Sir.”

CBI: “Then while cutting the hair, why do you ask Ministers about Swiss Bank and Black money issues?” Barber: “Sir, the reason is that when I ask about Swiss Bank or Black money issues, the Ministers’ hairs stand up straight and that helps me to cut their hair easily!”

The moral of the above episode is that if some of our corrupt politicians who are said to be involved in the drug trade, according to media reports, were to be asked about the profitability of the drug sales in Sri Lanka then their hair too would stand up on end, making it easier for the Sri Lankan barbers to cut their hair.

lakshman@lankastandard.com

 

 

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