National Programme Series to Awareness Counselling Officers and Counselling Teachers: Puttalam District Programme

The Puttalam District awareness programme—part of the national series aimed at counselling officers and counselling teachers—was held on 14 October 2026 at the District Secretariat, Puttalam. The initiative was launched to meet the national need to establish an integrated network of state and non-governmental organisations, securing their direct involvement in the Bureau of Rehabilitation’s rehabilitation process and the broader effort to eradicate the drug menace, which directly contributes to the current government’s “Ratama Ekata” (Nation United) national anti-drug campaign.

The event was held under the patronage of the District Secretary for Puttalam, Mr Y.I.M. Silva. It was attended by Divisional Secretaries, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier M.S. Amit, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Police Narcotic Bureau) Mr Ashoka Dharmasena, Senior Counselling Officer and member of the “Ratama Ekata” Toxic Drug Prevention National Programme Mr M.M.G.M.B. Rashad, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Puttalam Base Hospital Dr Janani Bowinna, Additional Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier Prasanna Priyalal, Zonal Education Directors, Mrs Inusha Hettiarachchi of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Chilaw Superintendent of Police 1 Mr Prabath Dayananda, Officer-in-Charge of the Puttalam Remand Mr A.P.R. Pallawala, and Chief Inspector of Police (HQ) Mr P.M.H.B. Wijekoon, along with several other distinguished guests, counselling officers, and teachers.

Welcoming the attendees, the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation emphasised that the Bureau’s core objective is to rescue addicted youth from substance abuse. He highlighted the importance and role of this programme, as well as the necessity of establishing district training pools of counselling officers for follow-up and monitoring processes.

The District Secretary further stressed the need to safeguard the youth of the Puttalam District from drugs under the “Ratama Ekata” initiative, which has been launched to build a drug-free nation. He also spoke on the responsibility of counselling teachers to nurture good citizens through the education system, and the significance of the national mission carried out by the Bureau of Rehabilitation.

Serving as the first guest speaker, Mr M.M.G.M.B. Rashad delivered an interactive lecture covering key topics essential for counselling officers. These included the physical and psychological effects of drug use, chemical reactions in the brain according to drug classifications, various aspects of counselling, the social responsibility of counselling officers, factors leading adolescents to drug use, family support, and social stigma.

Mr Ashoka Dharmasena, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Police Narcotic Bureau), delivered a timely and insightful lecture on drug classification, the destructive impact of drug use on youth, drug distribution, the hazardous dimensions of substance abuse, its social ramifications, and the associated legal framework.

Following the lectures, a panel discussion was held with participating counselling officers. Led by Brigadier M.S. Amit, Mr Ashoka Dharmasena, Mr M.M.G.M.B. Rashad, Mr A.P.R. Pallawala, and Ms Inusha Hettiarachchi, the session focused on the current drug situation, addiction, environmental and personal factors, the role of the school system, and the rehabilitation process.