Fourth Awareness Workshop for Counselling Officers – Jaffna District

The fourth workshop in the Awareness Programme Series for Counselling Officers was held on 21 July 2026 at the Jaffna District Secretariat, targeting the Jaffna District. The programme was initiated in line with the need to establish a collaborative network of government and non-governmental organisations to strengthen their direct involvement in the Bureau of Rehabilitation’s rehabilitation process and the Government’s “One Nation Together” National Operation to eradicate the drug menace.

The programme was held under the patronage of Mr M. Pradeepan, District Secretary of Jaffna, and was attended by several distinguished guests, including Mr Patrick Dheeranjan, Northern Province Secretary of Education; Brigadier M.S. Amith, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation; Brigadier Prasanna Priyalal, Additional Commissioner General of Rehabilitation; and Mr Kailayapillai Sivakaran, Additional District Secretary of Jaffna. During his address, the District Secretary emphasised the importance of building a district, a nation, and a future free from the menace of drugs.

The workshop was attended by counselling officers serving in the Jaffna District and school teachers. Awareness sessions were delivered by Mr I. Praveen of the Police Narcotics Bureau and Dr Vinodha Achchuthan, Consultant Psychiatrist at Chavakachcheri Hospital, who shared their expertise on drug prevention, rehabilitation, and related issues.

The programme concluded with a special expert panel discussion chaired by Brigadier M.S. Amith, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. The panellists included Dr Vinodha Achchuthan, Consultant Psychiatrist; Mrs Sujeeva Sivadas, Commissioner of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services; Dr S. Niththirooban, Consultant Neonatologist; and Mr I. Praveen of the Police Narcotics Bureau. The discussion focused on strengthening multi-agency collaboration in addressing drug-related challenges and promoting effective rehabilitation and prevention strategies.