An INCB mission visited Sri Lanka from 25 to 28 March 2018. The mission was conducted by Professor Richard Mattick, member of the Board, and Ms. Ha Fung NG (Cilla) of the INCB secretariat. The last INCB mission visited Sri Lanka in 2002. The mission was organized by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), Ministry of Defence.
The objective of the mission was to review the drug control situation in Sri Lanka and the full implementation of the three international drug control conventions to which Sri Lanka is a party, including reporting to and cooperation with INCB in accordance with the Conventions. The situation of, and the actions by the Government to counter drug trafficking, to prevent drug abuse and to provide treatment and rehabilitation for drug dependent persons were also discussed.
The mission met with Mr. Hemasiri Fernando, Secretary, Ministry of Defence; Hon. Thalatha Atukorale, Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms; Hon. Jayantha Jayasuriya, Attorney General; Ambassador Ravinatha P. Aryasinha, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Pujitha Jayasundara, Inspector General of Police; Professor Saman Abeysinghe, Chairman of NDDCB; Dr. Samantha Kithalawaarachchi, Director of Presidential Task Force on Drug Prevention; Commissioner Generals of Customs, Excise, and Prisons, as well as senior officials in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. The delegation also had discussions with NGOs and visited the Nawadiganthaya Treatment Center.
The findings of the mission will be reviewed by the Board at its 125th session in May 2019.
