The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) on Monday began destroying nearly 302 kilograms of seized narcotics at the Lactowatta incinerator in Vanathavilluwa, Puttalam, after the Balapitiya and Chilaw Magistrates’ Courts finalised the related cases.
The haul comprises 22.888 kg of heroin, 33.172 kg of Kerala cannabis and 247.940 kg of cannabis, Newswire reported, citing the PNB. The Police Narcotics Disposal Division began transporting the stockpile from the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court complex earlier in the morning.
NewsFirst confirmed destruction commenced at 9:00 a.m., reporting the breakdown as 22kg 888g of heroin, 33kg 172g of Kerala cannabis and 247kg 940g of cannabis. The substances had been seized in raids conducted across the western and southern coast.
Court-ordered destruction of seized narcotics is a routine but high-volume task for Sri Lanka Police. The disposal forms part of the wider Rata Ekata anti-narcotics operation launched in October 2025, which has now logged 156,456 arrests and 1,917kg of heroin seized in six months. The PNB has progressively cleared backlogs from concluded cases as part of the same enforcement push.
Police said further consignments awaiting disposal will be processed once the related court proceedings conclude.
