The “Ratama Ekata – National Mission” awareness meeting for the Eastern Province was held to recognize and appreciate officers who carried out large-scale drug raids.

The “Iwathwanu” Ratama Ekata National Drug Prevention Operation, launched on 30 October 2025 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo under the leadership of H.E. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is currently being implemented islandwide with considerable success.

Public Safety Committee meetings previously conducted under the patronage of the President in the Southern, Northern, and Central Provinces have produced significant progress in efforts to curb the spread of drug abuse.

As part of this ongoing national initiative, a large-scale Public Safety Committee meeting aimed at educating the people of the Batticaloa District in the Eastern Province about the program was held in Batticaloa on 20 May 2026 under the patronage of the President.

During the event, the President presented cash rewards and gifts to police officers in the Eastern Province, as well as members of the tri-forces, in recognition of their direct contribution to major drug detection and raid operations carried out in the line of duty.

Addressing the gathering, the President emphasized that society has been adversely affected by the growing drug menace. He further stated that the national campaign launched to protect the country’s youth from the devastating impact of narcotics — regardless of ethnicity, social status, or geographic location — would continue to be implemented with unwavering commitment and would not be reversed under any circumstances.

Members of the Maha Sangha of the Eastern Province and other religious leaders, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Ananda Wijepala, Inspector General of Police Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, officers of the tri-forces, government officials, and a large number of local residents attended the event.