Prime Minister Chairs Progress Review of National Strategic Plan on Substance Use Disorders

The biannual progress review meeting of the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention, Treatment, Management and Rehabilitation of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) 2026–2030 was held on September 30 at Temple Trees under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The National Strategic Plan was formulated under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media through inter-ministerial coordination, in accordance with the directives of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Its main objective is to establish a systematic national programme to address the challenges associated with substance use disorders.

The plan focuses on six key areas: prevention of substance use, early identification, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention of relapse and long-term follow-up, and monitoring and evaluation.

During the meeting, the relevant institutions presented their progress for the period from 1 January to 30 June 2026, in accordance with the National Strategic Plan.

The institutions that presented their progress included the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Police, Department of Prisons, Bureau of Rehabilitation, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Department of Community Corrections, and the National Child Protection Authority.

The review provided an opportunity for the relevant ministries, departments and institutions to assess progress made during the first six months of implementation of the five-year strategic plan.

Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister (Development) Sagarika Bogahawatta, Senior Assistant Secretary (Development) S.U.A. Weerasinghe, and a number of officials representing the relevant ministries and departments also participated in the meeting.