News Today: Sri Lanka Police to conduct a national census to identify and rehabilitate drug addicts.

The Sri Lanka Police have announced a major national initiative to identify and rehabilitate drug addicts through a comprehensive census. Police Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler stated that this new step is part of a broader effort to reduce both the supply and demand for narcotics across the country.

According to ASP Wootler, the census to identify drug addicts will allow law enforcement and health authorities to understand the true scale of addiction and provide targeted rehabilitation opportunities. The rehabilitation programme aims to reintegrate addicts into society while lowering the overall consumption of drugs.

He further emphasized that ongoing operations against drug traffickers have already yielded significant results. In recent weeks, the Police Narcotics Bureau has arrested a large number of dealers and distributors operating across the island.

Official data from the Police Narcotics Bureau indicate that over 228,450 individuals were arrested for drug-related offences in 2024 alone, highlighting the urgency of addressing the root causes of addiction.

ASP Wootler stated that the current strategy—focused on disrupting supply chains, minimizing demand, and promoting rehabilitation—represents a more holistic approach to tackling the national drug issue. Through this new initiative, authorities hope to create a more sustainable and humane framework for combating drug abuse in Sri Lanka.