Over 230,000 school children in Colombo district fall victim to drug addiction

Sri Lanka’s Prisons Commissioner and Media Spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe has raised serious concerns over the growing prevalence of drug addiction among school children, claiming that over 230,000 students in the Colombo District alone are addicted to drugs.

He made the statement during a school awareness program on drug abuse prevention held at Godapitiya National School in Akuressa.

Speaking at the event, Weerasinghe noted that the situation in the Southern Province may be even more alarming, citing the region’s high levels of underworld activity.

“The majority of those in prison are young people, and most have a low level of literacy,” he said.

The Prisons Commissioner also drew attention to the plight of children under five years old in prisons, who remain with their incarcerated mothers until age five, describing these moments as “the most tragic” he has witnessed.

Meanwhile, in Kalutara, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jayantha Padmini Weerasuriya said authorities are taking steps to curb drug trafficking near schools.

“We have deployed plainclothes police officers to monitor suspicious activities around school zones and bus stops. We urge students and the public to report any suspicious activity,” DIG Weerasuriya added.