Sri Lanka’s ambitious Operation ‘Yukthiya’ against drug trafficking has stirred controversy despite its purported aim to curb the drug menace in the country. Conceptualized by Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles and overseen by acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, the operation has faced criticism from various quarters.
Launched on December 17 with a deadline of June 30, ‘Yukthiya’ aimed to arrest all drug dealers and combat drug-related crimes. Despite the government’s claims of success, it has faced condemnation from the UN Human Rights chief and local human rights organizations, citing concerns about human rights violations during the operation.
The operation has led to the arrest of over 50,000 individuals, predominantly for drug abuse, with extensive investigations initiated into illicit assets and alleged suspects. The seized narcotics have an estimated market value of millions of rupees, with ongoing scrutiny into the legality of confiscated assets. However, critics argue that the operation’s heavy-handed approach may undermine human rights and the rule of law. Despite the backlash, Minister Alles remains steadfast in his commitment to the operation, dismissing criticism and vowing to continue its implementation.