Prison Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe has revealed a shocking statistic that over 230,982 schoolchildren in the Western Province’s Colombo District are addicted to drugs.
He made these remarks during an awareness program held yesterday (27th) at Akurassa Godapitiya National School aimed at addressing the drug menace.
Addressing the students present, Commissioner Weerasinghe expressed his deep concern, emphasizing that the drug problem in the Southern Province, a hotspot for underworld activities, could be far more severe. He warned that the current situation demands urgent national attention.
He highlighted that the majority of prisoners in Sri Lanka are young people, many of whom have very low literacy levels, posing a grave challenge to the country’s future.
The plight of young children living with mothers in prisons also drew his sympathy. According to legal provisions, 42 children under the age of five are currently incarcerated along with their mothers, and upon reaching five years, these children are legally separated from their mothers—a heartbreaking moment the commissioner described as one of the most distressing during his service.
Commissioner Weerasinghe stressed the importance of preventing women from falling into criminal activities and stated that the current government is determined to create a drug-free nation with strong measures in place.
Meanwhile, Deputy Police Superintendent Jayantha Padminee Weerasuriya of the Kalutara jurisdiction announced a special police program to curb drug abuse and trafficking within schools.
Speaking at an event in Kalutara yesterday, she said teams of plainclothes police officers have already been deployed to monitor student behavior, hangout spots, and peer groups.
She urged students and the public to report any drug-related activities or information around schools, bus stops, shops, or public areas without fear by calling her direct number at 071 859 2683.
This comprehensive effort reflects growing concern over the drug epidemic among Sri Lankan youth and a strong push by authorities to restore safety and well-being in educational environments and communities.
