Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, delivered the keynote address at the 74th Anniversary celebration of the Colombo Plan, on 17th held at the ITC Ratnadipa in Colombo.
Addressing the diplomats, development partners, and representatives from member countries, Minister Herath paid tribute to the enduring legacy of the Colombo Plan and its role in promoting regional cooperation, inclusive development, and capacity building since its founding in 1951.
The Minister placed special emphasis on the growing threat of drug abuse, particularly among youth in the region. He described drug demand reduction as a pressing national and regional priority and acknowledged the impactful work done by the Colombo Plan’s Drug Advisory Programme.
He stated, “Sri Lanka is committed to tackling the drug menace with urgency and compassion—through prevention, education, rehabilitation, and legal reforms.” He further called on development partners and member countries to strengthen collaboration and resource support for programs aimed at drug prevention and treatment.
Minister Herath reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to addressing the drug crisis as a national priority and stressed the importance of collective regional efforts through the Colombo Plan to strengthen prevention, rehabilitation, and legal frameworks. He called for continued support from funding partners to expand the organization’s impactful programs.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming Sri Lanka’s dedication to the shared vision of the Colombo Plan and expressed confidence in the organization’s future as a vital platform for regional progress and collaboration.
