“Ratama Ekata – National Mission” Northern Province Program Held Under the Patronage of the President

The Northern Province program of the “Ratama Ekata – National Mission,” aimed at eradicating narcotics, was held under the patronage of His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on 16.01.2026 at the Jaffna Technical College Grounds.

During the event, His Excellency the President presented cash awards and gifts to police officers of the Northern Province and members of the Tri-Forces in recognition of their direct and commendable contributions to narcotics-related operations.

Addressing the gathering, the President noted that parents in the Northern Province, who once lived in fear for their children due to the war, now live in fear because of the growing threat of drug abuse. He emphasized that the national campaign launched to protect the youth from the drug menace—spreading indiscriminately across communities, cities and villages, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic background—will be implemented with determination and will not be allowed to regress.

The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha of the Northern Province and other religious leaders, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Governor of the Northern Province Nagalingam Vethanayagam, Jaffna District Members of Parliament Jeyachandramurthy Rajeevan, K. Ilankumaran, and Shanmuganathan Bhavanandaraja, along with other public representatives. Also present were the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyyakontha, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, senior government officials, and a large number of members of the public.