News
Kalpitiya smugglers and security forces nexus stir resident anger
View(s):By Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
Smuggling of narcotics, pharmaceuticals, agro chemicals, and consumer goods by sea through the north western coastal belt is increasing, local authorities and residents have said, noting that security is failing.
There is a decades-long history of criminal activity along the coastal belt involving fishermen and fishing vessels. But it has now been confirmed with evidence that smugglers are operating without fear.
Goods that were seized.
Local authorities have noted that not only narcotics like “ice’’ (methamphetamine), heroin, and Kerala ganja, but also other goods from countries including India, are flowing in through the north western coastal belt, raising questions about weak border protection.
Police records have confirmed some detections, but a large number reportedly goes undetected. In most cases, suspects have not been arrested.
Ajith Gihan, the member of parliament for Puttalam District representing the National People’s Power, recently blamed the security forces for failure to prevent smuggling, including drugs.
At a recent Puttalam District security coordination meeting attended by Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sunil Watagala, the MP Gihan levelled allegations against the navy, claiming that security forces personnel were behind all the smuggling occurring in the zone.
Authorities and residents report a surge in smuggling along Sri Lanka’s northwestern coast, raising concerns over lax security. Pictured here are seized pharmaceuticals.
Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala responded he too, had received reports of numerous such incidents.
In addition to narcotics and medicines, highly toxic agricultural chemicals produced in India are being brought in on a massive scale. Herbicides and pesticides are freely used across Kalpitiya Peninsula, causing severe harm.
Similarly, large quantities of beedi leaves are transported while nylon fishing nets, prohibited for use in the karadiya and miridiya fishing industries, are being imported, endangering the fishing industry.
Moreover, without any monitoring or inspections, fishing vessels are involved in smuggling pharmaceuticals, putting lives at risk.
In addition, various spices, perfumes, food items, and chocolates are smuggled in.
Recent detections show that birds, eagles, and other animals are also illegally moved by sea.
Smuggling also denies tax revenue to the state.
Residents of Kalpitiya said that security forces prevent civilians from approaching the coastal belt at night in some areas, threatening and harassing them.
In an incident in Nirmalapura in August, navy officers assaulted a property owner and his family to force them to vacate land where coconuts had been stocked. It is an area known for smuggling of beedi leaves.
Villagers allege that security forces evict civilians allowing free rein to smugglers. Protests have occurred in response to such attacks, but harassment and intimidation at night continue.
Villages claim that coastal areas from Arachchikattuwa leading to Karukupana, Muthupanthiya, Udappuwa, Sinnapaduwa, Daluwa, Nirmalapura, Mampuriya, Norochcholai, Erabugodaella, Ilanthadiya, Ichchankadduwa, Kandakuliya, Kalpitiya, Sothupitawadiya, Pallivasalthura, Vanathavilluwa, Karathivu, Serakkuliya, Gagewadiya, Uchchamune, and other regions where smuggling takes place at night.
Legislator Gayan Janaka of the National People’s Power noted that people are afraid to speak out publicly due to frequent harassment. However, he revealed these at the district security committee meeting, providing detailed information.
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