A large-scale awareness walk was held in Colombo today (26) to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, as part of the nationwide “Ratama Ekata” (One Nation Together) National Drug Prevention Programme.
Organized by the Ministry of Public Security, the main event commenced from Colombo Port City and proceeded to the Kollupitiya Junction, drawing the participation of more than 1,000 police officers, youth representatives, and members of various state institutions.
The walk, held under the theme “March Proudly Towards a Drug-Free Nation,” aimed to raise public awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of community support in combating narcotics. Participants distributed informational leaflets to the public and promoted the 1818 hotline for reporting drug-related information, as well as rehabilitation services available through the Bureau of Rehabilitation.
Representatives from the Ministry of Mass Media, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Department of Excise, Sri Lanka Police, the Tri-Forces, National Youth Services Council, and several other government agencies took part in the programme.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Anand Wijepala, Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Colombo District MP Samanmali Gunasinghe, Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne, and Inspector General of Police Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya were among those who attended the event.
Police and Navy bands, along with cultural and dance groups from the National Youth Services Council, added colour to the awareness campaign.
The programme highlighted the importance of building a drug-free society for Sri Lanka’s social and economic development and urged the public to support national efforts by reporting drug-related activities to the authorities.
