No One Involved in Drug Trade Will Be Protected: PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya issued a strong and unequivocal statement in Parliament, declaring that no individual involved in drug trafficking will be protected under her administration.

Her remarks came in response to a fiery exchange sparked by MP Namal Rajapaksa, who raised concerns over the recent seizure of chemical substances suspected to be used in the production of crystal methamphetamine (ice) in Middeniya.

Rajapaksa questioned the government's handling of two controversial containers, claiming that they were initially flagged by the Port Control Unit and held for inspection based on intelligence reports, including those from foreign agencies. 

He alleged that despite these red flags, the containers were later found at a private residence, and sarcastically questioned whether the Rajapaksas were being blamed for controlling the port, customs, police, and even organized crime.

“Don’t try to pin the government’s deals on us,” Rajapaksa said. “The containers were released by government ministers—not us.”

In response, State Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe accused the opposition of deflecting blame and claimed that the containers were hidden on property belonging to a local councilor affiliated with Rajapaksa. He further alleged that the real organized criminals are now being exposed and that investigations are underway, including into phone records linked to Kehilbaddara Padme and other suspects.

“The truth is coming out about who the actual organized criminals are—and it’s not just anyone, it’s you,” Jayasinghe said, directly addressing the opposition.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya, in a passionate address, called on all parties to focus on ending the drug trade rather than politicizing it.

“Let’s stop this drug trade. Let’s save our children. We will not protect anyone. Let them face the consequences. We will end this,” she declared.

Minister and Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake escalated the debate, accusing both the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) of being complicit in political hypocrisy and aligning with figures previously accused of corruption and drug-related cover-ups.

“Now Pohottuwa and SJB are one and the same. They’re with Namal. They’re with Ranil. They’re with the ice traffickers,” Ratnayake said, adding that the opposition was “wearing diapers” in fear of the truth being exposed.

MP Kabir Hashim, representing the SJB, responded by clarifying that while the opposition could be united on key issues, his party remained independent.

Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe added to the accusations, referencing a 2020 drug bust involving 94 kilograms of narcotics and a suspect allegedly linked to international criminal activity. He questioned the disappearance of the suspect and suggested that political influence may have interfered with justice.

“Where is the man who was arrested with 94 kilos of drugs? This is history. The southern coast has become a hub for traffickers,” Samarasinghe said.