National Walk and First-Anniversary Commemoration of the “Ratama Ekata” National Mission – Colombo

Marking one year since its inception, the first-anniversary commemoration and grand public walk of the “Ratama Ekata” (A Nation United) national mission was held on 05 November 2026 morning, proceeding from the Galle Face Port City entrance to the Kollupitiya junction under the theme “A Year  Rising Together — An Appreciation of the Mission’s First Year.”

The “Ratama Ekata” national mission was officially launched on 30 October 2025 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the primary objectives of eradicating the menace of toxic drugs from the country, disrupting drug supply chains, reducing drug demand, dismantling trafficking networks, and expanding law enforcement operations islandwide.

The anniversary walk was held under the leadership of Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, along with Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne, Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) retired Deputy Inspector General J.A.K. Mark, Chairperson of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Senior Professor Wasantha Subasinghe, and Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Brigadier M.S. Amith.

The event saw active participation from the tri-forces, the Sri Lanka Police, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, the Bureau of Rehabilitation, the National Youth Services Council, various other state institutions, and voluntary organizations contributing to the anti-drug campaign across the country. The main objective of the walk was to propagate the message of eradicating the toxic drug menace and to foster positive attitudes among the general public.