The National Steering Council of the “A Nation United” national programme aimed at eradicating the drug menace, together with the Cabinet-appointed committee on the prompt destruction of seized narcotic substances, convened today (May 19) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The meeting was held under the patronage of Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Media Division (PMD), primary attention was focused on proposed legal amendments required to facilitate the prompt destruction of seized narcotic drugs.
Discussions were also held on expediting the final stages of the relevant legal reform process.
The Cabinet-appointed committee’s proposed amendments and related legal framework were presented before the National Steering Council for consideration.
The meeting also extensively discussed the importance of ensuring the timely destruction of seized narcotics, along with proposals and observations made by members of the National Steering Council.
According to the PMD, the draft amendments are expected to be submitted to the Legal Draftsman’s Department and the Attorney General’s Department in due course.
Among those present at the meeting were Most Rev. Nishantha Fernando, Siva Sri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ayesha Jinasena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, senior ministry officials, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, senior security forces officers, and representatives of the “A Nation United” National Steering Council.