230,982 School Students in Colombo Addicted to Drugs: Prison Commissioner

30-Oct-2025

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Drug use among school students has sharply increased. In the Colombo District alone, 230,982 school students have become addicted to drugs. 

The Southern Province leads in underworld gang activities, said Prisons Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe.

Speaking at an awareness program on drug prevention held at Akurana Kodapitiya National School, he further stated:
A majority of those imprisoned are young people, most of whom have a low level of literacy. A large number are imprisoned for drug-related crimes and connections with underworld gangs.
Due to mistakes made by mothers, 42 children under the age of five are currently in prison. If a mother is sentenced to 10 years, she and her child are allowed to stay together for 5 years. Upon the child reaching the age of five, they are separated. 

“That is one of the saddest experiences I have witnessed in my life,” he said.

The child cries for the mother, and the mother cries for the child. For five years, that has been their only bond — broken by law. “Therefore, never commit a mistake as a woman. The government bears a great responsibility to create a drug-free nation.”

Drug use among school students has become intense. Considering the safety of students, several measures have been taken. In the Western Province alone, 230,982 students have become addicted to drugs.

There is a close connection between the drug trade and underworld gang operations. The Southern Province leads in such gang activities. The entire public must cooperate in actions against drugs and organized crime, he said.