Strive to create a country free of drug addicts – Defence Secretary
- Talangama NDDCB drug addicts rehabilitation centre reopened
Make every effort to create a country free of drug addicts, said the Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne yesterday (Dec 14) while addressing the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) staffers during a brief ceremony organized to reopen ‘Seth Sevana’, one of the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres for drug addicts situated in Talangama, Battaramulla.
This renovated building, ‘Seth Sevana’ which is functioning under the purview of NDDCB will be an added facility and will enhance the treatment capacity.
NDDCB Chairperson Dr Priyangi Amarabandu welcomed the Defence Secretary who graced the event as the Chief Guest.
This facility which was originally designed to treat 25 drug addicts is now capable of treating 75 persons. The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has provided their labour support for the noble cause.
NDDCB completed the project in line with the National Programme mooted to rehabilitate persons fallen prey to drugs while expanding the treatments in a bid to see ‘a drug free country’ as stated in the government’s policy statement, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’.
Addressing the gathering, the Defence Secretary disclosed the effective measures initiated for the progressive development of NDDCB and the treatments for the inmates geared to be decent citizens while further praising the untiring effort exerted by all those including Dr Amarabandu and the Director Kanishka De Silva.
In an appreciative gesture, NDDCB Chairperson symbolically presented a commendation certificate to a Navy sailor during the session as an appreciation to SLN personnel who immensely contributed to the renovation work.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Maj. Gen. Dharshana Hettiarrachchi (Retd), Defence Ministry’s Additional Secretary (Defence Services) Jayantha Edirisinghe, Ranaviru Seva Authority Chairperson Maj. Gen Nandana Senadeera (Retd), Chairman Sri Lanka Foundation Ms Champika Amarasekara, Senior DIG Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon, Senior DIG Crimes and Traffic Range Ajith Rohana, STF Commandant DIG Waruna Jayasundara, donors, NDDCB staffers and SLN personnel were also present at the occasion.
