Sarath Wijesinghe President’s Counsel / Solicitor in England and Wales former Ambassador to UAE and Israel and President Ambassador’s Forum

Addiction of ’’ ICE’’ and related narcotic drugs in Sri Lanka

We are in danger of addiction of drugs in Sri Lankan society in an unexpected and unprecedented rate with the imminent danger of destruction and breakdown of the society, economy, including the entire functioning of the nation on a grinding halt unless immediate and positive steps are taken in the right direction to eradicate the menace growing faster. Sri Lanka has been a healthy and educated exemplary nation with high world ratings on health, education and senior and a respected member nation in the world family. It is true we Sri Lanka is immersed in the economic downturn due to the bad management of successive ruled, and the economic crisis world over we have no control over. What we are in is manmade created by ourselves again due to bad management and governance. Ironically Sri Lanka today in in the world drug dealer’s map as a transit point and emerging drug addicts paradise as an easy prey surrounded by sea as an Island in the midst of famous sea routs used historically  world over with the giant neighbor too is  engulfed as a prey of the world drug mafia. The dead silence of the Politicians, non-government organizations and the activists on this issue is amazing when the vociferous social media is busy with the sexual ordinations and gossip of the politicians who are directly responsible to the menace we are faced with except the Justice Minister Hon ‘’Wijayadasa Rajapaksa’’ making a voice of the need of a comprehensive mechanism to prevent  inflow of ICE related drugs to Sri Lanka which is growing fast with little resistance form the ineffective and inefficient governance and ailing public service eating into a major portion of the tax payers money ever increasing. He is proposing a comprehensive mechanism but not a plan of action on the court, security and the machinery inefficient and ineffective to combat the powerful drug mafia with worldwide links as a drug center in the map. Media is not as vociferous as on sports and gossip possible due to the influence of drug mafia with tentacles in the political and business dealings possible drug money is in circulation in important circles. Drug menace is growing at a terrific speed among all age groups young and matured like wildfire. Neither the governance nor the Ministers appear to have taken a serious note of the danger which in the door steps spread initially elders now spread to schools even in villages as stated by the social media salons, shops, and SPAs as centers. Strange the governance has not realized the danger which is covered willfully by the interested parties in powerful positions in the governance swimming in illegal funds now emerging from the illegal small and large money laundering ‘’Priyamalies’’ and many similar individuals and organizations. The need of the hour is determination and joint action to eradicate the menace with a definitive plan and inserted efforts devoid of bribery corruption and inefficiency which is rampant in the country that will be difficult due to the weakness of the governance politically and physically- A shaky governance with no aim determine of a plan of action fo anything including the drug menace.

ICE is a manmade and laboratory made widely used narcotic

ICE is a drug made in the laboratory with easily obtainable row materials and at a comparatively cheap price in many drug dealing countries. It is easily made and freely available due to insufficient and ineffective legal process and the effective and powerful network of the drug dealers sheltered and supported by the politicos and drug barons powerful in the society. Obviously it is s virus spreading in important centers in the country at a rapid speed – a drug made by humans in the laboratory with the base methamphetamine which is a strong stimulant which gives temporary comforts and feelings to be free and confident taking small quantities yet a strong ‘kickback’ to the body. It is small, chunky, clear crystals, menthe glass shaped crank powder in Stoney small portions though expensive to purchase and powerful drug that has superseded most made on herbs. ICE appeared to be more powerful effective and attractive to the addicts who will take any and every endeavor to find funds for the purchase that has become an impact on the increase of crime which is published so often with detailed information ending the aim of the culprits on the intentions of the theft and robberies – a social calamity spreading far and wide and a threat to the society. ICE has overtaken most of other drugs due to the availability, effect, convenience on transport and the international and local network well placed with the network of corrupt administrators and security personal. Now the price is fast increasing with high demands and the increase of the addicts increasing fast. It gives an immediate ‘kick’ relief and sense of confidence and independence false pride and power of remembrance that attracts young and students obviously temporary but giving long-term consequences to retard the health and life span.

Who are responsible? And what is the solution to eradicate the menace

One may say that the addicts are responsible. Then what about the students day by day become addicts at a high rate according to news reports emerging mainly in the social media and not so in the traditional media which is also a questionable situation while noting the powerful drug barons and their powerful contacts far and wide. Main initial trainers appear to be the existing drug addicts and addicts in general promoting it for their share of drugs out of the profits assisted and protected by the drug dealers on all strata. The ICE drug addicts deteriorate their health fast to change health and appearance yet addicts are not is a position to recover due to strong addiction. fast Addicted senior students sell it to the small timers to purchase their share and goes downwards/upwards to the sellers around the schools, workplaces, SPAs, small hotels renting rooms to students, and many parties in the society using easy methods of transferring money via easy cash methods on mobiles of 110% of population including the school going children using mobiles for online studying. Prison is another breeding ground and a training center and a center of distribution showing how ineffective the Prison System as a part of the system of governance. One can imagine the extent of corruption in prisons when considering the main drug barons thrive and conduct their operations safe and efficiently whilst in prisons. This is only a fraction of the main scenario which is growing faster and faster due to the large sums of funds involved with the crime supporting the crime in the country is mostly due to the problems of drug transactions, connected to the underworld. It is in news that the tax increase is to be utilized for the expenditure on the sleepy and inefficient government servants and the security for which a major share of our income is spent. Bur the fact remains that the menace is growing faster with no proper plans to contain and ineffective due to the inefficiency of the security forces and the governance. Media is expected to play a main role to overcome this unfortunate situation with the security forces who are responsible to curb the situation on the directions of the governance appear to be weak and headless on this issue. Priority is to be given to this menace considering the impact, ethical social devastation on young and old pruned to be victims growing rapidly due to inactivity and insufficiency bribery and corruption with many questions unanswered on the amount of drugs found and confiscated and the outcome of the proceeds in large scale according to news reports. Part of the solution appear to be the adherence to the law and order by the security forces and the Judiciary supposed to be independent with enormous powers even to impose death sentence on drug related offences. Acts in force are numerous, 1/2008-13/1984/ with powers of imposing death sentence (54A) that is only on paper as the death sentence is not imposing due to internal and external pressure with one instance when a drug Barron was sentenced to death for murdering the presiding judge which is a serious and a bad precedence in the judicial history. It is the drug barons inside the walls prisons and living oversees illegally are the main dealers apart from the unseen powerful dealer in the shade under the guise of politicians and the riches and the rich with highest connections are the real dealers when small sprats are the paid agents of drug barons spending in the cages of courts and prisons at a price paid by leaders of the international mafic in this drug addicted beautiful Island.

Legal Basis and implications Local and International

Law is clear and strong on the face value with power to punish the drug trafficking and sale which is not appear to be implemented properly and fully with the political and judicial process.  Drugs and brought mainly from sea and different other methods used by powerful worldwide network and drug barons local and overseas. Drugs smuggled by sea is distributed by the major distributors through network safe probably with the help of distributors up to the last destinations now to schools and villages distracting, disturbing and destroying the values, economy, and the country to the absolute ruination of the nation leaving with a sick and indebted nation for the future. Drug is received via normal channels via corrupt officials and power of money spent lavishly as bribes and gratifications. There are news of tracing drugs received via post and hidden with the imported goods. There is presumption that a major portion of drugs found and confiscated goes back to the hands of the drug dealers with the help of the corrupt officials from the backdoor. On the whole the situation is dangerous and imminent that immediate steps should be taken as a matter of urgency to avert the imminent disaster utilizing resources and assistance from all corners with a concentrated effect aiming at eradication of drug menace ever. The author could be reached on sarathdw28@gmail.cm. 0094777880166 UK/Sri Lanka.

Sarath Wijesinghe President’s Counsel