Inauguration of the National Mission ‘Ratama Ekata’

The national campaign “Ratama Ekata”, organized under the instructions of the Honorable President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address the urgent need of having a national mission to eradicate the drug menace from the country, was officially launched this morning, 30.10.2025, at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo.

As we all know, the drug menace which is destroying the lives of young adults as well as the school children has become the major cause of many crimes committed within the country. I such a circumstance, this mission fulfills the need of a collective operation to combat this rising threat of narcotics distribution, which is requested by many in every social strata of the country.

A broad public participation is expected by this for the operations of the security forces, including the Sri Lanka Police, which operate along with the full support and blessing of the national-level political leadership.  The public security committees, formed at the local level to represent all strata of society, play a vital role here.

As instructed, following public awareness efforts through electronic and printed media, rural campaigns, and increased raids and intelligence, more drug addicts will be referred for rehabilitation in the future.

He, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who presided over the inaugural ceremony, addressed the gathering and stated that the era in which the drug trafficking and the financial power of the criminal gangs associated with it are destroying the state economy, state mechanism, and even the command of law, leading both the country and society to destruction, has been curbed to some degree due to the commitment of the Sri Lanka Police, and that these operations are initiated with the contribution of all to eradicate it completely.

In parallel, the corrupt officials who have been involved in drug trafficking and organized crime in responsible government institutions, including the Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Customs, the Department of Motor Traffic, and the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and who are aiding and abetting drug trafficking and organized crimes will be promptly arrested and brought before the court.

The ultimate objective of this operation is to prevent the recurrence of such a situation for the sake of future generations and to liberate the country from the disastrous circumstances associated with drugs. As patriotic citizens, we urge you to lend your full support to the security forces, including the Sri Lanka Police.