President capable of ushering liquor, drug free nation - Mahanayake Thera

Indika POLLKOTUWA

Most Ven. Tibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was able to defeat terrorism and restore peace has the capability to usher in a liquor and drugs free nation through his Mathatathitha program, said Most Ven. Tibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter.

Persuasion alone will not help to overcome the liquor, drugs and tobacco menace unless there is strict enforcement of the law, he said.

The prelate expressed these sentiments when the new Commissioner General of Prisons Maj. Gen. V.R. Silva called on him at his Malwatte Viharaya in Kandy and received his blessings.

The prelate who noted that a large number of drug addicts had been sentenced to jail in recent times, said they should be afforded proper guidance in prison to wean them away from the drug habit.

The Commissioner General also called on the Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Anunayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter at the Asgiriya Viharaya and received his blessings.