Maldives request Lanka's help to rehabilitate drug addicts

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Maldivian government has requested the government of Sri Lanka to extend support to rehabilitate drug addicts in the Maldives, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) chairman Leisha de Silva Chandrasena said.

She said discussions are underway to initiate a programme in this regard and reports on the situation have been sought from the Maldives.

The Sri Lankan government is to sign an MoU with the Maldivian government after discussions. "Sri Lanka has extensive experience in rehabilitating drug offenders. Under the President's initiative to eradicate the drug menace, 42,500 persons were arrested in 2011," Police said.

According to Police Department reports, most youths are addicted to Ganja and Heroin. Over 200,000 kilogrammes of Ganja, 39,000 kilos of Heroine,18,000 kilogrammes of Hashish,10,500 kilogrammes and 1,769 kilogrammes of meth had been seized in 2011.