Saturday May 23, 2026
Saturday May 23, 2026
Saturday, 23 May 2026 05:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday launched several major development projects in the Ampara District while presiding over a Special Coordinating Committee meeting focused on infrastructure, public services, and post-Cyclone Ditwah recovery efforts.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the Special Coordinating Committee meeting was held at the Ampara District Secretariat auditorium to review the progress of development projects being implemented for the district, relief measures provided to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, and ongoing infrastructure programs.
Meanwhile, construction work on the Nintavur Cultural Centre recommenced yesterday under the patronage of the President after the project had remained incomplete for several years.
The Government has allocated Rs. 300 million through the 2026 Budget to resume construction of the cultural centre, which is intended to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Ampara District.
According to the PMD, the total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 945.04 million and construction is scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2027.
In addition, construction work also commenced on the Ampara Multi-Purpose Town Hall, a project aimed at addressing a long-standing infrastructure shortcoming in the Ampara town area.
The PMD said the project is being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.74 billion and is scheduled for completion by 31 December 2028.
Earlier this week in Batticaloa, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the Government was preparing new legislation to strengthen the crackdown on organised crime and narcotics networks, while also revealing that 28 alleged underworld figures had already been arrested and brought back to Sri Lanka from overseas as part of the ongoing “A Nation United” anti-narcotics operation.
Addressing the “A Nation United” Batticaloa District Programme held at the Weber Stadium on Tuesday, the President said the political protection previously enjoyed by drug traffickers had been completely dismantled and that law enforcement agencies were now operating without interference.
“We intend to pass special laws in Parliament to suppress organised armed criminal gangs. If the law is insufficient, we will strengthen it,” the President said.
He also said criminal gangs linked to the narcotics trade had expanded significantly in recent years, contributing to shootings and organised violence across the country.
“Already, we have arrested and brought back to Sri Lanka 28 underworld members who had been overseas,” the President said, adding that more arrests were expected in the coming period.
The remarks came two days before police sources confirmed that another group of 21 alleged underworld figures deported from Dubai had arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday.
The President further said the Government had established special detention facilities for organised crime suspects and warned that no individual would be treated as being above the law.
During the address, the President also disclosed that during the six months since the launch of the anti-narcotics campaign, authorities had seized 1,943 kilogrammes of heroin, 2,008 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), and 40,755 kilogrammes of cannabis.
