(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – “Though there are attempts to vilify me as a wrong doer by hurling accusations and staging protests, I will not give up my duties towards the country,” President Maithripala Sirisena reiterated.
While carrying out the duty to free the country from drugs and protecting our children against the menace of illegal substances, President said he will not give up his battle against the drug trafficking at any cost.
President Sirisena made these comments addressing a gathering at Kolonnawa Raja Maha Viharaya on Wednesday (26) organized to commemorate International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
President declared a Drug Prevention Week from June 23rd to July 1st and many programmes were conducted island-wide today as well.
A mammoth walk against drugs started simultaneously from Rajagiriya, Mulleriyawa, Wellampitiya, Gothatuwa, Grandpass, reached Kolonnawa Raja Maha Viharaya as one of the main events of today’s programme.
A large number of government officials, students and the general public participated in these walks while exhibiting placards and cut-outs.
A special awareness programme was conducted at Kolonnawa Raja Maha Viharaya by veterans who enlightened the participants on the adverse effects of drug abuse.
Attending this programme, President Sisirsena said the country has benefitted from many programmes that he initiated during last four years to curb illicit drug trafficking.
President said the drug dealers possess the capacity to establish new governments as well as to dethrone. They are also capable of destroying institutions and individuals who are against them, while adding that Easter Sunday carnage can be considered as a counter-attack against the battle against drugs despite the revelations of investigations.
The Governor of the Western Province A. J. Muzammil, Coordinating Secretary to the President Prasanga Solangaarachchi, Secretary to the President Udaya R. Seneviratne, Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Prof. Saman Abeysinghe, the Inspector General of Police C. D. Wickremaratne and senior security officials were among the participants.
