The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, in partnership with the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), concluded a two-week regional training program aimed at combating the growing threat of synthetic drugs like fentanyl and its analogs.
The initiative, part of the U.S. State Department’s program to upgrade forensic lab capabilities, brought together forensic professionals from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal for intensive training in Colombo.
The program focused on identifying and analyzing synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances through hands-on and classroom-based learning.
At the closing ceremony, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jayne Howell, Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, and NDDCB Chairman Dr. Indika Wanninayake handed over a Radian ASAP drug testing device to Sri Lankan authorities.
The Radian ASAP is a state-of-the-art drug testing system that allows rapid and accurate screening of synthetic substances in under one minute, without complex sample preparation.
Each participating country will receive this equipment to enhance national lab capabilities and improve synthetic drug detection across South Asia.
The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Colombo Plan and funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
This regional effort aligns with broader U.S. strategies to disrupt the global supply chains of synthetic opioids and reflects recent White House measures against the fentanyl crisis.
Jayne Howell emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation in her remarks, stating that the synthetic drug threat “knows no borders” and that partnerships like this one are vital to public health and regional security.
Equipment donations to the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal are expected soon as part of the continued regional rollout.
The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the region’s forensic and law enforcement capabilities through sustained technical assistance and knowledge-sharing.
