The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, in partnership with the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), has successfully concluded a two-week regional training initiative aimed at enhancing forensic drug detection capabilities across the region.
The initiative, titled Upgrading Forensic Lab Capabilities, is funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in collaboration with the Colombo Plan. It brought together forensic experts from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal for comprehensive training in Colombo on the identification and analysis of synthetic drugs, with a focus on fentanyl and its dangerous analogs.
The program culminated in a formal handover ceremony, where the state-of-the-art Radian ASAP drug testing instrument was presented to Sri Lankan authorities. U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jayne Howell, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala, and NDDCB Chairman Dr. Indika Wanninayake were present at the event.
“This work reflects broader U.S. efforts to disrupt global synthetic opioid supply chains and protect communities across the Indo-Pacific,” said Deputy Chief of Mission Howell. “The United States is confronting the fentanyl crisis at home and abroad because the threat knows no borders. Through this initiative, we’re not only sharing advanced tools and training, we’re reinforcing a shared commitment to public health and regional security.”
Each participating country will receive a Radian ASAP device—an advanced, compact system capable of high-confidence drug screening in under a minute. The machine requires no complex sample preparation and is especially effective for detecting new and emerging synthetic substances, a growing concern for law enforcement and health officials worldwide.
The initiative aligns with broader U.S. strategies to tackle the global fentanyl epidemic, declared a national emergency in the U.S., and underscores the Biden administration’s efforts to crack down on the illicit production and trafficking of synthetic opioids.
Following the successful training and equipment delivery in Sri Lanka, similar handovers are planned for Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal in the coming weeks. The U.S. remains committed to enhancing regional capacities through continued technical cooperation and knowledge sharing to help stem the flow of dangerous synthetic drugs.
