Two Bills seeking to amend the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance were presented to Parliament on October 22, proposing a formal mechanism to destroy seized narcotics before court proceedings conclude while preserving samples required as evidence.
Speaking during the Second Reading debate, Minister of Law and Order Ananda Wijepala said the proposed amendments were aimed at addressing legal and practical challenges caused by the prolonged storage of seized drugs until the completion of trials.
The proposals follow Cabinet approval granted on March 16, 2026, to introduce the necessary legal provisions for disposing of narcotics held in custody before court proceedings are concluded.
Under the proposed system, samples needed for legal proceedings would be retained, while the remaining quantities could be destroyed through an established procedure. The framework is intended to safeguard essential evidence while reducing the difficulties associated with storing seized substances for extended periods.
Wijepala said the amendments would establish a transparent process for managing seized narcotics. This would include obtaining
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