Sagala calls for tight security in and around Colombo port to curb drug smuggling

Minister Sagala Ratnayake has issued directives to strengthen security around the Colomboport and its surrounding areas in a bid to curb drug trafficking.

The Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Southern Development while issuing instructions to the Colombo Ports Authority (CPA) had urged that the assistance of the Police, the customs department and other relevant bodies be sought in this regard.

Addressing a meeting with high-level CPA officials at Temple Trees yesterday (Feb 05), he had called for a swift plan outlining the manner in which the programme would be implemented while also instructing that the plan be presented to him once completed.

Further, he had also emphasised that all transactions of the Ports Authority must be transparent and therefore be carried out via a proper tender process.

The Minister had also said that his prime duty was to ensure a transparent process be followed in the CPA. He also advised officials to refrain from engaging in transactions through illegal or fraudulent means.