Responding to accusations by former Minister Namal Rajapaksa that the government has failed to control the drug trade, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake alleged that Rajapaksa and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) were themselves linked to the importation and distribution of the narcotic drug ‘ICE’.

“Namal says he wants to become the President in 2029. Does he want to become the President of Iceland?” Ratnayake asked.

Rajapaksa had earlier claimed that raw materials used to manufacture ICE were among the 323 red-labelled containers released earlier this year, implying that the government was responsible for allowing narcotics into the country.

In response, Ratnayake said, “The raw material was recovered in the constituency of MP Rajapaksa’s uncle. He is accusing us of releasing these consignments, but they were found buried in his family’s constituency.”

Ratnayake further alleged that links to the drug trade extended beyond the SLPP to members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) as well.

“SJB members and individuals from SLPP who are tied to the drug mafia even visited Tirupathi recently. Namal says he wants to be President in 2029 — but is he trying to become the President of Iceland?” the Minister questioned.