National Awareness Programme Series for Counselling Officers and Counselling Teachers: Ratnapura District Programme
The Ratnapura District programme of the national awareness programme series for counselling officers and counselling teachers was held on 2 October 2026 at the Ratnapura District Secretariat. Initiated to meet the national need for networking state and non-governmental organisations into a single network, the programme aims to secure their direct involvement in the Rehabilitation Bureau’s rehabilitation process and the broader national initiative to eradicate the drug menace—a cause directly contributing to the current government’s “Ratama Ekata” (Nation Together) national anti-drug campaign.
The event was presided over by the District Secretary of Ratnapura, Mr M.G. Lalith Ananda. A distinguished group of guests attended, including:
* Mr Amila Suranjith Wijerathne, Additional District Secretary
* Divisional Secretaries
* Brigadier M.S. Amith, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation
* Dr Chanaka Udaya Kumara, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, member of the National Operations Council for Anti-Illicit Drug Eradication, and former Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority
* Brigadier Prasanna Priyalal, Additional Commissioner General of Rehabilitation
* Mr D.M.J.K. Dahanaka, Assistant Director (I) / Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Narcotic Bureau
* Mr Udaya Kumara, Superintendent of the Kuruwita Prison
* Colonel K.D.M. Pathmakeerthi, Ratnapura District Rehabilitation Officer
* Mrs Chanika Abeysinghe from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board
Welcoming the attendees, the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation noted that the Bureau’s primary goal is to rescue young people from drug addiction, emphasising the contribution and significance of this programme. The District Secretary further underscored the national imperative of creating a drug-free country, safeguarding the youth generation from drugs, and the importance of the national service delivered by the Rehabilitation Bureau.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Chanaka Udaya Kumara provided a detailed presentation covering myths surrounding drugs, mental state and addiction, withdrawal symptoms, key considerations when counselling individuals with drug addiction, psychological and vocational counselling, the role of technology and social media in sparking curiosity about drugs, and various treatment methods along with their impacts.
Following this, Mr D.M.J.K. Dahanaka (ASP / Assistant Director, Police Narcotic Bureau) delivered an insightful lecture on the definition and types of drugs, the prevalence of illicit substances among youth, the legal framework governing drug use and trafficking, and the severe societal damage caused by drug abuse.
Finally, an expert panel discussion on the current drug situation was held with the participating counselling officers. The panel was chaired by Brigadier Prasanna Priyalal, Dr Chanaka Udaya Kumara, ASP D.M.J.K. Dahanaka, Superintendent Udaya Kumara, and Mrs Chanika Abeysinghe.
