15. March 2010

 

Sri Lanka Statement

by H.E. Ambassador M.M. Jaffeer, Ambassador & Permanent Representative

At the 53rd Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs

Vienna: 11th March 2010

 

Item 7: Illicit drug traffic and supply and related measure

b) Reducing the illicit supply of drugs

c) Control of precursors and of amphetamine-type stimulants

d) International cooperation on eradicating the illicit cultivation of crops

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

On behalf of my delegation, I wish to extend our congratulations on your assumption of Chairmanship of the 53rd session of the CND.

 

My delegation also wishes to convey our sympathies to Haiti, Chile and Turkey over the recent terrible effect of earthquake disasters. 

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Sri Lanka has strictly prohibited the illicit production or distribution of any controlled substance. The country has already given necessary domestic legal effects to the 1961 UN Single Convention, and other relevant drug related conventions and protocols.

 

Yet, challenges faced related to manufacturing, consuming, and trafficking of illicit drugs need a comprehensive and balanced manner through national, regional and international frameworks. The campaign for Complete abstinence from drugs, remains the major focus of the government primary measures under H.E President Rajapaksa leadership.  The secondary and tertiary measures against drug use also have reinforced the government’s efforts to fight against drug abuse. On the supply reduction measures, National authorities continue to focus on curtailing and dismantling illegal supply network of narcotics or precursor chemicals. Action against the use of Sri Lanka as Transshipment point of illicit drugs has also become a priority issue.

 

The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), which is the premier policy planning body, coordinates and cooperates closely with the domestic and many regional counter narcotic bodies to interdict illicit drug supplies entering into and moving through the country. The recent increase in the  recruitment of PNB officers recently has contributed to the increased investigations and interdictions, and deployed field officers in strategic locations along the coastal belts where drug trafficking is active, has contributed to the increased level of investigations and interdictions.

Mr. Chairman,

 

To enhance our efforts, Sri Lanka established a coast guard department through a bill in Parliament in July 2009. In February 2010, the Coast Guard unit has become operational to help strengthen security in the territorial waters and combat the smuggling of drugs into the country.

 

Since early 1980s, the LTTE, a banned separatist terrorist organization, was involved in bulk delivery of narcotic drugs heroin and cannabis from producing areas in Asia to consuming countries. The proceeds obtained through drug trafficking, crime and related money laundering activities helped LTTE finance its insurgency.  Sri Lanka’s coast remained highly vulnerable to LTTE’s drug trade and transshipment of narcotics drugs moving from South Asian and the South-East Asian region. The military defeat of the LTTE in May 2009 has weakened the LTTE drug trade network. However, there are reports that the LTTE network abroad are still engaging in illicit drug trafficking and related crimes. Recently on several cases, the LTTE shipping fleet which had been used for drug trafficking, has been involved in human trafficking activities. Combating against trafficking of drugs by such terrorist, organised crime group require political will and regional and international cooperation.

 

Sri Lanka has already demonstrated its commitment by signing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and propose to ratify, the Protocol on Trafficking in Persons and the Protocol on Migrant Smuggling. Sri Lanka is also a party to the UN Convention against Corruption. Sri Lanka has also signed the World Customs Organization (WCO) International Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance for the Prevention, Investigation and Repression of Customs Offenses, which is known as the Nairobi Convention. Further, the Treaties to cooperate more closely on extradition cases as regards to drug related crimes are also in force between Sri Lanka and several States.

 

Sri Lanka has also been continuing to work with the Drug Advisory Program (DAP) of the Colombo Plan based in Sri Lanka in its efforts to combat illicit drugs. The program regularly provides advice relating to reducing the demand for drugs trough NGOs and government agencies. The Colombo Plan also supports several local organizations training volunteer drug counselors.

 

Sri Lanka will continue to engage in reducing the supply source for Illicit drugs and looks forward to have further cooperation from the UNODC, regional and international partners.

 

I thank you for your attention.