Committee to develop formal procedures for illegal drug disposal

A three-member committee has been appointed to prepare necessary laws and regulations on how illegal drugs confiscated by law enforcement authorities are handled after investigations. 

President Maithripala Sirisena raised the question on the procedures followed to manage the confiscated illegal substances in Cabinet yesterday. However, Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake informed him that there were no set regulations or procedures on how the substances should be disposed of. 

“With stories of recently confiscated cocaine ending up in the market again, the President wanted to know about how drugs are handled after being confiscated by the Police,” a senior Cabinet member told Daily FT. Minister Ratnayake was not able to provide an update on the matter and informed President Sirisena that there were no regulations or procedures outlined to ensure proper disposal, Daily FT learns. The authorities have not monitored this until now, Ratnayake informed Cabinet. Following recommendations that the substances should be destroyed in the presence of a member of the Judiciary, Cabinet has appointed a three-member committee comprising Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Minister Ratnayake and Science, Technology and Research Minister Susil Premajayantha to formulate the necessary procedures and regulations to be followed in disposing confiscated illegal substances.