Japan assists Sri Lanka to strengthen counter-terrorism and anti-illegal drug measures

Feb 08, Colombo: The Government of Japan has donated vehicles and equipment to Sri Lanka to strengthen the government’s efforts to crackdown on illegal drugs and terrorism.

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka symbolically handed over counter-terrorism surveillance and investigation vehicles and narcotic analyzers as part of the second phase of a grant to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat Tuesday (08).

In response to the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019, the Government of Japan is providing grant assistance in the total amount of JPY 1 billion (approx. Rs.1.7 billion) to support the Sri Lankan Police in their efforts to combat terrorism.

As third batch of equipment, Ambassador Mizukoshi handed over 29 Land Cruiser vehicles for police patrols, anti-terrorism and crime prevention, traffic control and security operations, a Prado, a stock of equipment including a mobile scanner unit for detecting explosives and narcotics, valued at Rs. 700 million.

Inspector General of Police CD Wickramaratne on behalf of the Sri Lanka Police and Government Analyst Gauri Ramana for the Government Analyst’s Department received the vehicles and equipment.

The Government of Japan has also extended equipment in total of JPY 200 million (approx. Rs.350 million) to mitigate the influx of illegal drugs to realize a healthy and peaceful society free from drug abuse, amidst the growing drug-related illegal activities in Sri Lanka as a new social problem.

The Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer and Mobile X-Ray Scanner donated by Japan will be used to detect and analyze narcotics and other illegal substances and is expected to enhance the capacity of the Sri Lankan Police to deal with illegal drugs.

“As a long-standing friend of Sri Lanka, Japan has been providing extensive support throughout the islands to help enhance peace and security in Sri Lanka, including livelihood improvement and empowerment of the people affected by the past conflicts. Japan will continue to support the efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to eradicate terrorism and illegal drug crimes that pose a threat to the people in Sri Lanka,” the Japanese Embassy said on the occasion.

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera, State Minister Dilum Amunugama and Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath were also present.