Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic location has made it a crucial transit point in the international drug supply chain, connecting drug trafficking routes from East to West.
Recent studies by the Pathfinder Foundation reveal a shift in drug consumption patterns in Sri Lanka, with methamphetamine use rising while cannabis remains prevalent, especially in urban areas.
Most illicit drugs entering Sri Lanka originate overseas and are trafficked through the Arabian Sea via complex networks involving growers, producers, transporters, and local distributors.
Traffickers often include Sri Lankan dealers living in the Gulf region, suppliers from tribal areas in Pakistan, and smugglers of Iranian origin operating across the Indian Ocean.
Local distributors, primarily based along Sri Lanka’s coast, maintain direct links with criminal syndicates in the Middle East, facilitating drug distribution within the country.
Besides maritime routes, drug trafficking occurs through container shipments, airline passengers, and postal services, including fast parcels.
The Pathfinder Foundation urges the formulation and implementation of an Effective National Drug Control Strategy, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation across South Asia.
Coordinated efforts involving government agencies, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders are critical to combat the multifaceted drug trafficking problem effectively.
According to the National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB), drug-related arrests in Sri Lanka surged by 90% from 89,321 in 2019 to 162,088 in 2023, with heroin, cannabis, and methamphetamine comprising the majority of cases.
Cannabis and methamphetamine seizures more than doubled between 2019 and 2022, reflecting a troubling increase in drug availability and use.
A UNODC report highlights a 95% decline in opium cultivation in Afghanistan in 2023 following a ban on poppy cultivation, but methamphetamine trafficking continues to rise in the region.
Emerging trends indicate a shift from traditional narcotics like opiates toward synthetic drugs such as amphetamine-type stimulants and chemical precursors, which may increase addiction rates and demand for treatment in the future.
This shift in drug trafficking patterns poses significant challenges for Sri Lanka and the wider region, necessitating adaptive strategies and strengthened cooperation to address evolving drug threats.
