National Awareness Programme Series for Counselling Officers and Counselling Teachers – Kandy District Programme

As part of the current government’s “Ratama Ekata” (Nation Together) national anti-drug campaign, the Bureau of Rehabilitation plays a direct role in the rehabilitation process. To eradicate the drug menace, there is a national need to establish a unified network bringing together both state and non-governmental organisations. In line with this objective, another phase of the national awareness programme series for counselling officers and counselling teachers was held on 18 September 2026 at the Kandy District Secretariat, focusing on the Kandy District.

The event was presided over by the District Secretary of Kandy, Mr Indika Udawatta. Prominent dignitaries in attendance included Senior Professor Wasantha Subasinghe, Chairperson of the Bureau of Rehabilitation; Brigadier M.S. Amit, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation; Mrs Indika Kumari, Municipal Commissioner of Kandy; Brigadier Prasanna Priyalal, Additional Commissioner General of Rehabilitation; Mr Asoka Dharmasena, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Police Narcotic Bureau); Dr Priyadarshani Premaratne, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya; and Mr Sampath Warnakulasuriya, Superintendent of Bogambara Prison. During his address, the District Secretary emphasized the importance of building a drug-free nation, the necessity of safeguarding the youth at the district level, and the crucial national duty performed by the Bureau of Rehabilitation.

Adding to this, the Chairperson of the Bureau of Rehabilitation highlighted the crucial role of counselling officers in rescuing youth from drug addiction. She further elaborated on the core objectives of conducting these district-level programmes and underscored the need for community-based rehabilitation.

As part of the session, Dr Priyadarshani Premaratne, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Peradeniya, delivered a sociological explanation to the attending counselling officers and school teachers of the Kandy District. Her presentation covered the spread of illicit drugs within social environments and the shared responsibilities of the family, school, and society.

Furthermore, Mr Asoka Dharmasena, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Police Narcotic Bureau), delivered an insightful lecture addressing the definition and types of drugs, the prevalence of substance abuse among youth, the legal framework surrounding drug possession and trafficking, as well as the hazardous impact of drug abuse on society.

Following the lectures, a panel discussion was held between the participating counselling officers and key dignitaries, including Senior Professor Wasantha Subasinghe (Chairperson of the Bureau of Rehabilitation), Brigadier M.S. Amit (Commissioner General of Rehabilitation), DIG Asoka Dharmasena (Police Narcotic Bureau), Dr Priyadarshani Premaratne (Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Peradeniya), and Mr Sampath Warnakulasuriya (Superintendent of Bogambara Prison).