Drug addiction in Kandy, a major district in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, has risen dramatically in 2025, with authorities reporting a fivefold increase in usage compared to the previous year. Senior Deputy Inspector General Lalith Pathinayake, speaking at the launch of the national ‘Ratama Ekata’ operation aimed at eradicating drug abuse, described the situation as a growing public health and safety crisis.
According to police raid reports, heroin seizures in the Kandy division have increased by approximately 1 kilogram and 200 grams over the past year, while methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, has surged fivefold, totaling 3 kilograms and 23 grams. Alarmingly, a recent inspection of three passenger buses revealed that three drivers and two conductors were actively using heroin and ice, highlighting the potential threat to commuters and public safety.
Senior DIG Pathinayake expressed particular concern over emerging trends, noting that women in prominent social positions and schoolchildren are increasingly being drawn into drug use. He emphasized that Sri Lanka is becoming a hub for international drug trafficking, with several networks operating from abroad and supplying the local market. Authorities have identified key figures, known locally as “Nuwara Akka,” “Matale Akka,” and “Kudu Saima,” as central operators in these illicit networks.
While law enforcement efforts are intensifying, Senior DIG Pathinayake stressed that police action alone cannot address the crisis. “The support of the entire society is essential to eradicate this menace,” he said, calling for community engagement alongside rigorous policing to combat the spread of drugs.
The sharp rise in drug circulation in Kandy mirrors broader global concerns about the cross-border movement of illicit substances and the social costs of addiction, raising urgent questions about prevention, treatment, and coordinated international action against trafficking networks.
