According to the police, 13,700 suspected drug dealers were arrested, as were 1,100 users. They will now have to follow a drug rehabilitation program in centers of the Sri Lankan army.
The anti-drug operation also seized 440 kilograms of drugs, of which 272 kilograms of cannabis, 35 kilograms of hashish and nine kilograms of heroin.
However, human rights activists in Sri Lanka are strongly critical of police action. According to lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, the searches and arrests were carried out without a warrant. He calls on all those involved to record the identity details of the police officers, with a view to subsequent legal proceedings.
Another activist, Ambika Satkunanathan, says that no investigation preceded the police action and that “only impoverished regions” were targeted. According to her, the major drug traffickers would have been left alone.
The police want to resume their anti-drug operation on December 27. During the Christmas holidays, law enforcement agencies say they must concentrate on ensuring public safety.