Author name: Tharindu Withanage

A total of 209 personnel from the Sri Lanka Police and the Police Special Task Force (STF) are scheduled to depart shortly to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The contingent comprises 19 Sri Lanka Police officers and 190 STF personnel. A special ceremony for these officers, together with 900 Sri Lanka Army personnel also preparing for UN peacekeeping duties including 43 Army personnel who have received specialised training in landmine and booby-trap clearance, was held on the morning of 26.06.2026 at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regimental Centre, Panagoda, under the patronage of Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Addressing the gathering, the President stated that this represents the largest deployment of Sri Lankan security personnel for UN peacekeeping operations at a single time. He extended his sincere congratulations to all those selected for the mission, describing the deployment as a significant honour for both the personnel and the nation. The President further noted that dedicated and professional officers such as those participating in the mission bring great pride and distinction to Sri Lanka. He remarked that while becoming the wealthiest nation in the world may be a challenge, meaningful humanitarian contributions such as UN peacekeeping missions can earn the country international respect and recognition. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd.) Mr. Aruna Jayasekara; Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Mr. Sampath Thuiyakontha; Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mr. Lasantha Rodrigo; Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Mr. Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe; Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Mr. Kanchana Banagoda; Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya; Commandant of the Police Special Task Force, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. D.G. Samantha de Silva; as well as several senior local and international officials.

The “Ratama Ekata” National Operations Headquarters and Media Centre was officially inaugurated on 26.06.2026 at a premises located on Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07, under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijepala. The primary objective of establishing this centre is to strengthen and expand coordinated national operations aimed at significantly disrupting both the supply and demand of illegal drugs, thereby eliminating drug trafficking and abuse across the country. In addition, the centre will enhance public awareness, education, and communication initiatives to discourage drug use and promote drug prevention. The “Ratama Ekata” National Drug Prevention Campaign, which was launched on 30.10.2025, has been operating successfully for the past eight months. The inauguration of the National Operations Headquarters and Media Centre, held in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, marks another significant milestone in advancing the objectives of the campaign. The event was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne; the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya; senior police officers; media spokespersons representing the Tri-Forces; and several senior officials from government institutions.

A large-scale public awareness march, attended by more than one thousand participants, was held today (26 June) to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In line with the national drug prevention program, “Iwathwenu,” launched on 30 October 2025 and successfully implemented over the past eight months, a series of awareness initiatives were conducted on 26 June 2026 at police stations and other relevant government institutions across the island. As the flagship event of these initiatives, the Ministry of Public Security organised a major awareness march from Colombo Port City to Kollupitiya Junction. The program was jointly conducted with the participation of the Ministry of Mass Media, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, the Department of Excise, the Sri Lanka Police, the Tri-Forces, the Rehabilitation Bureau, the National Youth Services Council, and numerous other ministries, departments, organisations, and institutions. Held under the theme, “Let’s Walk with Pride Towards a Drug-Free Nation,” the march brought together more than one thousand police officers and young people. Awareness leaflets were distributed to members of the public along the procession route, while participants educated the community on the importance of public cooperation in preventing drug abuse and trafficking. Special emphasis was placed on promoting the 1818 hotline and increasing public awareness of the services provided by the Rehabilitation Bureau. The march was attended by the Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ananda Wijepala; Hon. Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj; Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Sunil Watagala; Colombo District Member of Parliament, Ms. Samanmali Gunasekara; Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne; and Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya. The event was further enhanced by performances from the Sri Lanka Police Band, the Sri Lanka Navy Band, and the dance and cultural groups of the National Youth Services Council, adding colour and vibrancy while attracting greater public attention to the campaign. The Community Policing and Environmental Protection Directorate made a significant contribution to organising the march in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security, while officers attached to the Police Traffic Headquarters and several police divisions in and around Colombo ensured the safety and smooth conduct of the procession. A Shared Responsibility for a Drug-Free Sri Lanka “As citizens of Sri Lanka, it is our collective responsibility to foster a drug-free society in order to achieve the sustainable economic and social development our nation aspires to. People of all ages, regardless of race or religion, should actively contribute to this national effort by supporting the Sri Lanka Police and providing valuable information to assist in the fight against illegal drugs. Become a proud partner in the “Let’s Quit Drugs Together” National Drug Prevention Programme, through which the Sri Lanka Police, government institutions, and non-governmental organisations are working collectively to suppress the supply of illicit drugs, reduce public demand, and build a safer, healthier, and drug-free Sri Lanka for future generations.”