Sri Lankan president warns politicians over involvement in drug trade

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday warned that his government will take legal action against any politician involved in illegal drug rackets in the country.

Sirisena made the ramarks at an event in Ja-Ela on the outskirts of capital Colombo after launching an island-wide drug prevention program.

"I would like to clearly emphasize that as a government we will instigate every possible legal action against any politicians involved in illegal drug rackets or if any involvement is uncovered later, irrespective of their party and position," he said.

"We know that the security forces, police and other agencies have taken complete responsibility to act on this, however it has been reported that officials of two departments responsible for food and other goods entering into the country have a long- stinging link with the flow of illegal drugs into the country," he added.

He further warned that his government intends to enforce the proper implementation of the law, formulate new laws and implement the law irrespective of posts and positions.

The ruling United National Party (UNP) said recently that it would request for a detail report from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) about those politicians who are involved in drugs, ethanol or any other illegal business before finalizing their party's nominations for the August parliamentary elections.

Public Administration and Democratic Governance Minister Karu Jayasuriya said steps would be taken to cancel nominations of candidates, if their allegations were proved to be true even after the party hands over nominations to them. Endi