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Deputy Minister: Laws being amended for tougher drug penalties
View(s):Amendments are being drafted to introduce heavier penalties for drug-related offences, according to Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara.
He made the remarks after inspecting the latest drug and arms haul detected by the Sri Lanka Navy.
The Navy seized the haul weighing more than 654 kg, along with several firearms, after intercepting two local multi-day fishing trawlers off the southern coast and arresting ten suspects—five from each vessel.
The Navy seized drugs weighing more than 654 kg and several firearms. Pix by Priyanka Samaraweera
On Thursday, the vessels, together with the drug haul and cache of arms, were brought to the Dickowita Fishery Harbour.
The haul included more than 478 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 176 kg of heroin, as well as three mechanical weapons, eight sidearms, and communication equipment.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya joined the deputy minister to inspect the seized narcotics and weapons.
The deputy minister said that, as a result of the government’s sustained commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking, the Navy was able to intercept this large consignment of narcotics at sea.
He hailed the Navy’s impressive track record in the national mission, noting that in 2025 the Navy seized 136 boats carrying narcotics worth more than Rs 75 billion, while 14 such boats have already been intercepted in 2026.
The ten suspects and the two trawlers, along with the narcotics and arms, were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for further investigation.
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