FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Senior officials from Sri Lanka and Pakistan have engaged in discussions emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to combat international drug networks, according to a statement from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Public Security.
The meeting aimed to bolster regional cooperation to prevent the influx of narcotics into Sri Lanka. Participants included the Sri Lankan Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, along with a Pakistani delegation featuring the Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, General Faheem Ul Aziz.
“Both parties emphasized the importance of working collaboratively against international drug networks, and the Pakistani side commended the program implemented by the Sri Lankan Government to eradicate the drug menace,” stated Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Public Security.
Sri Lanka has intensified its efforts to tackle the drug issue through a combination of large-scale law enforcement operations and strengthened regional diplomacy. Under the current administration, the Ministry of Public Security has concentrated on disrupting the supply chains that bring narcotics into the country, particularly from international waters.
High-profile raids and arrests target both street-level dealers and high-level traffickers, while the government also focuses on rehabilitating drug users and launching public awareness campaigns to reduce demand.
The challenge for Sri Lanka is compounded by its geographical location, which places it near major trafficking routes. Intelligence reports and diplomatic discussions indicate that drug networks in neighboring countries are involved in smuggling narcotics into Sri Lanka.
By collaborating with both India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka aims to establish a triple-lock system that monitors land, air, and sea routes, ensuring the island does not remain a vulnerable endpoint for international drug syndicates, according to government officials.
(Colombo/February 16/2026)
