90,000 arrested since January 2012

By Premalal Wijeratne-September 8, 2013, 8:59 pm 

As many as 90,000 suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with dealing and trading in illegal drugs such as cannabis and heroin, and related offences, from January 2012 to date.

Acting Police Media Spokesman, SSP Ajith Rohana, said that last year, 5,898 suspects were arrested over heroin related offences while another 30,448 suspects were arrested for possessing cannabis. This year, to date, 15,516 suspects had been arrested over heroin related offences and another 25,903 suspects are in custody for dealing in the sales of cannabis.

According to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, there are  an estimated 45,000 drug addicts in the country who use two kg of heroin daily. Going by the street value of one kg of heroin, which is valued at Rs 10 million, Sri Lankan drug addicts consume illegal.....substance worth a whooping  Rs 7.3 billion.

On the directions of the IGP, the police, islandwide, are on the alert to apprehend those engaging in the illegal trade and use of narcotics. He added, the police are intent on eliminating crime, the use of narcotics and illicit liquor, while also taking measures to resolve complaints received within 48 hours, reducing the prevalence of road accidents, and expediting the arrest of those who have been absconding appearing in Court.

Deputy Mayor Seneviratne further remanded By Premalal Wijeratne and Gihan Chameera - Nuwara Eliya-Monday, 09 Sep 2013 The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) yesterday presented three more children before the Court who had been allegedly abused by the Deputy Mayor of Nuwara Eliya, Tissa Seneviratne, when the case was once again taken up for hearing. The suspect was also in Court. The Deputy Mayor is in remand for having allegedly sexually abused several male children, and another 19-year-old youth who had been molested some time ago, and who it is reported, is also suspected of having assisted the accused to molest children. The youth was also produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate. It was revealed in Court that the 19-year-old youth had been financially rewarded for supplying children to the Deputy Mayor, and he had also resorted to relieving the abused children of the money they are paid by the Deputy Mayor, for being forced to succumb to his sexual demands. The Magistrate ordered that three boys who were produced in Court be handed over to their parents, and requested the NCPA to obtain a report from the Probation Officer on their well-being. The NCPA informed Court that several children had been sexually abused by the accused, and in view of the ongoing investigations, requested that he be not granted bail at this juncture. After considering the facts presented, the Magistrate decided to further remand the Deputy Mayor till 23 September.