Plans are underway to conduct a national anti-drug youth summit on June 26 under the “A Nation United” programme aimed at eradicating the drug menace, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
A discussion on the initial organisational arrangements for the summit was held this afternoon (May 21) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The summit is being jointly organised by the National Youth Services Council and the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to coincide with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to the PMD, the initiative aims to mobilise youth at the grassroots level to help free the younger generation from drug abuse and to demonstrate Sri Lankan youth’s rejection of drug traffickers.
The statement noted that survey reports indicate growing social, economic, and health-related challenges among Sri Lanka’s youth due to drug abuse, particularly among individuals between the ages of 20 and 35.
Authorities stated that the issue has also significantly affected the productivity of the national workforce.
The government launched the “A Nation United” national programme as a major initiative to combat narcotics and protect youth from the harmful effects of drug abuse.
Extensive discussions were held during the meeting regarding the summit’s plans and preliminary organisational activities.
Among those present were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewe, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Aruna Bandara, Media Advisor to the President Chandana Sooriyabandara, Director General of Government Information Harsha Bandara, Chairman of the National Youth Services Council Supun Wijeratne, heads of relevant institutions, and senior officers of the Tri-Forces and Police.