The minister revealed  this at a Press Conference held Monday (14) at the Government Information Department  to announce holding of the second National  Drugs Prevention Programme to be held  in Galle on Sept.18.

"The government makes great effort to reduce the demand and supply of illegal drugs to create a drug free Sri Lanka in near future under the instruction of President Maithripala Sirisena. Accordingly, the first National Program on Drug Prevention was held successfully in the Gamapaha District. Further this National program will be implemented in all districts of thel Island during next 05 years." Director, Presidential Task Force on Drug Prevention, Dr. Samantha Kumara Kithalawaarachchi said during the press conference.

President Maithripala Sirisena; at the national function for the declaration of National Drugs Eradication Program stated that his earnest expectation is to remove excise revenue from the alcohol and tobacco sales from the national budget by 2020.