Foreign award presented to President in recognition of anti-drug campaign

President Maithripala Sirisena has been given a special award in recognition of his campaign to eradicate the country’s drug menace. 

This award, which was presented at the Anti-Drug Non-Governmental Organizations Conference held in Macao, China in November 2017, was handed over to President Sirisena yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat by the President of the Federation of Anti-Drug NGOs, Sarath M. Samarage.

President Sirisena’s leadership to anti-drug campaigns, his decision to eradicate drugs and tobacco use in Sri Lanka by 2020, his efforts to achieve this objective and the steps he has taken to make people aware of the drug menace and propagate Buddhist ethical values in society earned the appreciation of international anti-drug campaigners.

President Sirisena handed over an award given at the conference to founder President of Mithuro-Mithuro Sansadaya, Ven Kuppiyawatte Bodhananda Thera, for his services to anti-drug campaigns. 

Minister Thalatha Athukorale, Drugs Control Council Chairman Dr. Ravindra Fernando and the Head of the Presidential Anti-Drugs Task Force Dr. Samatha Kithalawaarachchi were also present at the occasion.