Defence Secretary, retired Air Vice Marshall Sampath Thuyyakontha, on Saturday (02) asserted that drug traffickers would not be allowed to evade the law under any circumstances.He made these remarks to the media after calling on the Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters in Kandy and receiving their blessings.
Addressing the media, Thuyyakontha said the inflow of narcotics into the country had been significantly reduced, compared to previous years, attributing the progress to the efforts of the Tri-Forces and the Police.
He noted that key figures behind major drug trafficking networks were operating from overseas, adding that authorities were taking steps to apprehend such individuals and secure their extradition to Sri Lanka.
“No one will be allowed to evade justice,” he said.
The Defence Secretary also mentioned that Sri Lanka had been afforded an opportunity to contribute personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, with plans underway to deploy Tri-Forces members to Haiti, in the near future.
Describing the deployment as a significant opportunity, he added that measures were also being taken to address a minor shortage of personnel, within the security forces.
Thuyyakontha further clarified that he had no intention of entering parliamentary politics.
Earlier, he visited the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, including Mahanayake Theros Most Venerable Tibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero and Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, as well as Anunayake Thero Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thero, to receive blessings. He also visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa for religious observances.
Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake