Institutions

NDDCB is the pioneer government institution which discharges its functions with an aim to eradicate the drug menace from Sri Lanka. Among the other functions, providing treatment to the drug dependants and rehabilitation of drug dependants are main roles of the NDDCB. Four treatment and rehabilitation centers are being conducted under the purview of the board throughout the country with greater focus in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Gampaha Districts. Counseling service and residential treatment facilities are being provided for the drug addicts at these treatment centers.

In response to the growing drug problem in Sri Lanka in 1970s, a National Narcotics Advisory Board was established by the government in 1973 to co-ordinate the control measures. This was an ad-hoc committee chaired by the deputy minister of Defence and consisting of representatives from various ministries, departments and NGOs. The authority of the board, as implied in its name, was advisory in function and scope.

In the early 80s the government, having realized the seriousness of the problem, and in keeping with the obligations imposed by the 1961 single convention on narcotic drugs, initiated the process of formulating a comprehensive national policy in reduce drug abuse, and to draft legislation for the establishment of a National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

In 1984, parliament enacted the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Act No. 11 of 1984 and created the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board within the Ministry of Defence. The Board came into operation on the 9th of April 1984.

This Board was designated the principal national institution charged with the formulation and review of a national policy relating to prevention and control of the abuse of dangerous drugs and the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers and was given power to advise and make recommendation to the minister on such policy.  

View official website

Sri Lanka signed the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) on 14th January 1993 and ratified on 19th August 1994. The CWC Act 58 of 2007 for the implementation of the convention within Sri Lanka was passed by Parliament and it was amended as CWC Amended Act No. 1 of 2019.

The CWC is the common name for the convention on Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. The CWC is an international treaty, which seeks to eliminate this class of weapons in a verifiable manner. It primarily addresses national programmes and indirectly, the threat of Chemical Terrorism.

Sri Lanka including many countries throughout the world has companies and business involving toxic chemicals and its precursors in its productions in industrial, agricultural, research, medical and pharmaceutical and other peaceful purposes. Some of these chemicals can also be used to make Chemical Weapons. Since the existence of such Dual use chemicals, it is extremely necessary to monitor the activities of the industry related to such chemicals.

In order to fulfill obligations of CWC Sri Lanka shall establish a National Authority to serve as the National Focal Point for the effective liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and other states parties. As per the CWC Amended Act, Ministry of Defence was designated as the National Authority for the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention at a national level.  

View official website

National Defence Fund incorporated by the National Defence Fund Act No.09 of 1985 is governed by a board of Governors nominated as per amended Act No. 16 of 2018.

This fund is utilized the amount owned to the fund subject to the provisions of the president in the manner and functions the Board of Governor intends that it is caused mostly to the advancement and ensurence of the national security.

Further, welfare benefits to a member of the tri-forces or the police who sustained injures or devoted his life in the course of performing his duties or member of his family are also provided.

View official website