A special random drug testing program targeting public transport drivers at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center yesterday (16) confirmed that four drivers had been using dangerous narcotics.

The operation was carried out under the Road Safety Plan of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, with the National Transport Medical Institute leading the initiative. A team headed by Dr. N.A. Abeysekara conducted the examinations inside the Institute’s mobile laboratory bus.

Around 150 bus drivers and assistants were tested during the morning program, which forms part of a nationwide campaign to ensure a disciplined, drug‑free workforce in public transport.

According to the Transport Ministry, the program aims to reduce road accidents and restore discipline among drivers, stressing that those identified as drug users will face maximum punishment under institutional regulations as well as legal action under common law.

The Ministry of Transport, Sri Lanka Police, and the National Transport Medical Institute are jointly supporting the initiative, which is expected to expand island‑wide to build a safe and reliable public transport system. (Newswire)

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A special discussion was held under the aegis of the Minister of Health, Nalinda Jayataissa, regarding expanding the process of maintaining proper standards in drug quality testing.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Health yesterday, chaired by Minister Jayatissa, attention was focused on expanding the process of maintaining drug standards, with emphasis on conducting drug quality testing in a systematic and regulated manner.

Accordingly, officials representing the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), Sri Lanka Institute of Biotechnology (SLIBTEC), Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) under the Ministry of Health, and the Medical Research Institute (MRI) participated in the discussion.

The meeting addressed matters such as conducting drug quality testing through the laboratories of these institutions, maintaining proper coordination among them, increasing the scope of testing activities, and resolving issues and supervisory concerns related to drug quality reports submitted to the NMRA.

The Health Minister observed that there are certain limitations in conducting drug quality testing solely through the NMRA’s laboratory. Therefore, he emphasized the need for a more structured and expanded program in the future. He added that since such a program would take time, possibilities of carrying out these activities through other government institutions should also be explored.

He further stressed that priority should be given to problematic and questionable drugs during this process, ensuring that the drug supply chain is not disrupted. The Minister highlighted that all institutions must work together with a clear vision to implement this program effectively.

The discussion was attended by Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director‑General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology Y.L. Mohamed Nawavi, Chairman of the NMRA Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, its Director‑General and Chief Executive Officer Dr. K.M.G.K. Bandara, along with officials representing institutions under the Ministry of Science and Technology. (Newswire)

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