- Sri Lankan authorities have carried out a month-long drug crackdown that has resulted in tens of thousands of people being arrested.
- According to police, more than 40,000 people have been arrested and questioned so far, and 5,000 of them have been ordered detained by courts.
- Sri Lanka, known as a hub for drug trafficking, is stepping up anti-drug efforts in response to an increase in drug use among children and drug-related crimes.
Sri Lankan authorities have arrested tens of thousands of people in a month-long drug crackdown and vowed to continue despite United Nations criticism of potential human rights abuses caused by the “coercive” crackdown.
Since the operation began in December, heavily armed police and soldiers with sniffer dogs have regularly raided homes and search buses at night, seizing drugs and targeting drug users, local dealers and distributors. , arresting suspects including people with drug records. Arrested.
Acting police chief Deshabandhu Thennakul told The Associated Press on Thursday that more than 40,000 people had been arrested and interrogated during joint operations carried out by police and security forces, and 5,000 had been ordered detained by courts.
Sri Lanka's president flees the country while demonstrators storm the prime minister's office during a state of emergency
The country of 21 million people has long been known as a hub for drug trafficking, but authorities have cracked down on drugs after complaints that more schoolchildren are using drugs and drug-related crimes are on the rise. It is being strengthened.
Sri Lankan police officers detain and interrogate a drug suspect during a drug investigation in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 18, 2024. Authorities say they have arrested tens of thousands of people in the drug crackdown, even as the United Nations has criticized potential human rights violations, which they vow to continue. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Tennakoon said 65% of Sri Lanka's drug distribution networks had been dismantled in the last month and police hope to have them completely eliminated by the end of this month.
He added that intelligence operations are underway to identify those who may be importing drugs into the country or planning drug trafficking.
The UN Human Rights Council last week expressed concern over reports of unauthorized searches, arbitrary arrests, torture and even public strip searches during the operation codenamed “Yuktiya” (Justice). expressed.
Sri Lanka to join US-led Red Sea defense against Houthi rebels
“Drug use poses a serious challenge to society, but heavy-handed law enforcement approaches are not the answer. Drug abuse and the factors that lead to it are first and foremost public health and social issues,” the UN agency said. Stated.
However, Public Security Minister Tiran Ares said human rights institutions should identify specific cases of abuse and insisted investigations would continue.
“We're not going to stop this operation. We're moving forward because we know it's doing good for the children of this country, the women of this county, and the general public. And we're going to do it in the same way.' We are fully cooperating with this operation,” Ares said.
Mr Tennakoon said police were ordered to follow the law and any violations could be reported to the Police Commission.
Shakya Nanayakkara, head of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, said there are approximately 100,000 known heroin addicts in Sri Lanka and a further 50,000 known methamphetamine addicts. He said that
