Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that addressing the country’s growing drug problem must be treated as a national priority and should produce tangible results at the ground level.
She made these remarks during a meeting held at Temple Trees to brief her on the National Strategic Plan for the Management, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Persons with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) for 2026–2030.
The discussion, attended by officials from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and other key stakeholders, focused on a proposed national strategy aimed at addressing the growing health, social and economic challenges associated with substance use disorders in Sri Lanka.
The strategic plan aims to strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services through a coordinated and evidence-based national approach. Officials also highlighted several existing gaps, including early identification of substance use disorders, continuity of care, community-based follow-up and the reintegration of recovering individuals into society.
The proposed plan outlines a number of key measures, including strengthening screening and symptomatic treatment at primary healthcare and outpatient levels, improving hospital-based treatment and follow-up services, expanding residential rehabilitation facilities and enhancing community-based rehabilitation and relapse-prevention programmes.
Special attention will also be given to vulnerable groups such as children and adolescents, pregnant women, mothers with children and prison inmates.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed that the drug menace has developed into a serious social crisis that threatens the stability and security of families and society. She emphasised that both law enforcement and rehabilitation must be given equal priority, while highlighting the importance of public awareness initiatives and responsible media reporting as key elements of the national strategy.
