http://www.colombopage.com/archive_16A/Jan19_1453219903CH.php
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena says he is ready to relinquish the income received by the government from the sale of drug and tobacco to save the country and the people from the drug menace.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the series of the programs of the 4th phase of the “Drug Free Country”, the National Program for Drug Prevention held Tuesday at the National Youth Services Council in Maharagama, the President said it is essential to prevent drug menace to build a disciplined country with a better economy.
“The government is working to face that challenge with the help of everybody,” the President said.
He said the instructions have been given to establish separate units in all government institutions for the prevention and control of drug and these units should have meetings once in three months.
“They should fulfill the responsibility to convey a message to the society to prevent people from drug use,” the President said.
The President further said that the existence of legal drugs, for which the government has granted licenses, and the illegal drugs pose a major challenge to the government as it is a social problem. He added that whether it’s legal or illegal, drug abuse does a great harm to human lives.
The Colombo district action plan for the prevention of drug abuse was presented to the President by the Colombo District Secretary Sunil Kannangara. The events of today’s program were based on Colombo District.
The President also presented awards to individuals for their commitment to eliminate the drug menace from the country.
Mr. Edward Mallawarachchi presented three books written by him regarding the chronic kidney disease and drug addiction, to the President at the event.
The Maha Sangha including Most Venerable Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera, Pathberiye Wimalagana Nayaka Thero, Minister Susil Premajayantha, MPs Jagath Pushpakumara, Eric Weerawardena, Western Provincial Councilor Gamini Thilakasiri and the others participated in the event.