The National Steering Council of the “A Nation United” National Programme aimed at eradicating the dangerous drug menace, together with the Cabinet-appointed Committee on the prompt destruction of seized narcotic substances, convened today (19) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting was held under the patronage of the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala. 

Primary attention during the meeting was focused on the proposed legal amendments required to facilitate the prompt destruction of seized narcotic drugs, while discussions were also held on expediting the completion of the final stage of the relevant legal reforms, the President’s Media Division said in a statement. 

The proposed amendments and the related legal framework prepared by the Cabinet-appointed Committee on legal reforms were also presented before the National Steering Council for consideration. 

The importance of ensuring the timely destruction of seized narcotic substances, along with the views and proposals of the National Steering Council on the matter, were also discussed extensively during the meeting. 

The relevant draft amendments are scheduled to be submitted in due course to the Legal Draftsman’s Department and the Attorney General’s Department, according to the PMD. 

Among those present at the occasion were Most Rev. Nishantha Fernando, Siva Sri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration Ayesha Jinasena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, ministry secretaries and heads of relevant institutions, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, senior officers of the security forces and representatives of the “A Nation United” National Steering Council.