The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) in co-partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Colombo Plan Secretariat had organized the 2nd International Symposium on Drug Related Studiese-2024, on 03rd December (2024) at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo 07. The Symposium was held under the theme “Balanced and Coordinated Strategy for Building a Drug-Free Community: with Active Citizen Engagement”.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Mr DWRB Senaviratne graced the event as chief guest, Dr Benjamin P Reyes, Secretary General of the Colombo Plan, Mr YAMADA Testsuya, Chief Representative of JICA, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya were among the distinguished participants at the event. In addition, senior state officials representing various ministries also attended the event.
The Director General and Acting Director Research of the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) Colonel Nalin Herath RSP conducted a lecture on “Countering drug related violence; the role of national security forces in Sri Lanka’s fight against the drug trade”. Furthermore on an invitation by the NDDCB, Col. Herath also made his valuable presence as the panellist of the 4th session of the Symposium which was conducted under the theme, “Advancing Law Enforcement, Science and Innovations in Drug Demand and Supply Reduction”.
Moreover, Commander (H) Bhanu Abeygunawardhana, Military Research Officer (Sri Lanka Navy) at the INSS, presented a paper titled “Sri Lanka’s Way Forward to Counter Illegal Drugs & Narcotic Supply and Consumption in the Country to Strengthen the National Security” during the 4th session of the Symposium. In his paper, Cdr. Abeygunawardhana emphasized how illegal drugs & narcotics land in Sri Lanka and its impact on the national security of the country. His study provided recommendations, under three levels of engagement namely, strategic, operational and tactical level for the way forward for Sri Lanka to counter illegal drugs & narcotics trafficking as well as counter drug abuse in the country.
