Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne said children should be closely monitored to prevent them from falling prey to drugs and uncouth elements adding that over 3,000 such cases are currently being investigated by the authorities.
These cases mostly relate to drugs, unnecessary associations, misuse of mobile phones and social media. Legal action has been initiated against 70 such persons last month alone, he said.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been directed to enhance awareness among children and youth in this regard.
He was speaking at the Certificate Awarding Ceremony for winners of an Art and Essay Competition held on Friday (Dec17) at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) Colombo. The competition, organised by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) was held in line with the School Based Drug Prevention Program-2021.
Nearly 1,000 schoolchildren from schools islandwide took part in the competition themed, ‘Prosperous Country - Secured Generation of Children’.
NDDCB Chairperson Dr. Priyangi Amarabandu welcomed the Defence Secretary who was the Chief Guest.
Gen. Kamal Gunaratne compared his childhood which was filled with joy and happiness with the present day children who are burdened with competition for education and the drug menace.
The maiden copy of the compilation of arts and essays of the children was presented to the Defence Secretary which was also launched on the NDDCB website.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education H.U. Premathilake, Senior Assistant Secretary of State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management Kashuni Liyanage, Chairman, National Library, Sonala Gunawardena, Assistant Secretary Malsha Munasinghe, Director Narcotics SSP Samantha Wijesekera, Sri Lanka Foundation Chairperson Champika Amarasekera and NDDCB officials were also present.