COLOMBO, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) said on Tuesday that it plans to establish three new rehabilitation and treatment centers before the end of 2025.
The centers will be built in Matara, Kurunegala, and Batticaloa, the NDDCB said in a statement, adding that each facility can accommodate and treat about 120 people.
In addition, a rehabilitation and treatment center dedicated to those under 21 will be established in Kandy in central Sri Lanka. Cabinet approval has been granted, and construction is scheduled to begin by January 2026, the NDDCB said.
Sri Lankan authorities have ramped up drug eradication and the rehabilitation of drug users as part of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative.
Meanwhile, police have seized a total of 1,248 kg of heroin and 1,852 kg of crystal methamphetamine over the past nine months, according to police. ■