Drug destruction laws yet to be implemented despite high seizures

Colombo, Oct. 6 (Daily Mirror) - Despite promises that new laws would allow illegal drug hauls to be destroyed immediately in front of a judicial officer while retaining samples for legal proceedings, the practice is yet to be introduced in Sri Lanka.

According to official police data, authorities have seized 1,248 kg of heroin and 1,852 kg of crystal methamphetamine during the past nine months. This marks a significant increase compared to 2024, when 832.3 kg of heroin, 8,359 kg of cannabis, and 1,364 kg of crystal methamphetamine were seized.

Acting Police Spokesperson Minura Senerath said that the police have launched a new confidential hotline, enabling the public to report drug trafficking information directly to deputy inspectors general at the district level and senior police officers at the divisional level. “Curbing drugs and crime remain key priorities for both the police and the government,” Senerath said.

In April 2025, authorities destroyed over 494 kg of heroin, with an estimated street value exceeding 10 billion rupees (approximately 33.3 million USD). These drugs had been seized during two separate raids conducted by the Police Narcotics Bureau and the Sri Lanka Navy in December 2021 and April 2022, and were destroyed at a cement factory in Puttalam after the completion of legal proceedings.

During the previous government, former Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne had said plans to introduce new laws allowing immediate destruction of seized drugs before a judicial officer, retaining only a sample for legal purposes.

“This initiative is in the pipeline and has to undergo several administrative stages at state institutions including the Ministry of Justice, Attorney General's Department, and Legal Draftsman’s Department,” he said.

When asked whether the police planned to destroy any large drug hauls soon, Acting Spokesperson Senerath said no date had been finalized for the next destruction after April 2025.