By Newswire Editorial
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revealed that a total of 11,970 individuals aged 21 and below were arrested in connection with drug trafficking during the 2025–2026 period, warning that the drug menace is destroying the country’s younger generation.
Addressing an event held today (05) to commemorate the first anniversary of the “Nation United – National Drive” (Ratama Ekata) drug eradication programme, the President presented statistics on arrests involving children and young people.
According to the President, 10,889 individuals aged between 18 and 21, 1,068 aged between 14 and 18, and 13 children aged between 5 and 14 were arrested during the period.
He further revealed that 50 schoolchildren were among those arrested, while the overall figures included 11,737 males and 233 females.
Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, President Dissanayake said around 200 female children had been arrested within a year.
He warned that the growing drug menace was destroying the country’s next generation and jeopardising their future.
“We will not allow this to continue. We will defeat it,” the President declared.
Meanwhile, the President also presented statistics on narcotics seized during the period, revealing that a total of 15,285 kilograms of drugs had been confiscated.
According to the figures, the seizures included 6,526 kilograms of ICE (crystal methamphetamine), 4,009 kilograms of heroin, 2,595 kilograms of other narcotics, 1,841 kilograms of Kush and hashish, and 314 kilograms of cocaine.
The President reiterated the government’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and protecting the country’s younger generation. (Newswire)
