Sri Lanka president draws on Prophet's teachings in fight against drug abuse

HYDERABAD - Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has drawn on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad in the country’s fight against illicit drugs, saying the prophet’s emphasis on moral values and social justice offers guidance in tackling the growing menace.

In a message marking Mawlid, the celebration of the prophet’s birth in Rabi Al Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, Dissanayake highlighted Islam’s message of peace, justice, and brotherhood.

"Islam rejects all forms of vice that corrupt both the inner purity of the individual and the moral fabric of society.

"Therefore, the teachings and example of the prophet provide immense strength to programmes aimed at uplifting the moral fabric of society, such as the national campaign launched by the government to combat the scourge of illicit drugs, which is spreading like a blight across our motherland," the president said on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka has been grappling with illicit drug abuse, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The country's geographical location has also made it vulnerable to exploitation by international drug trafficking networks.

In February, Dissanayake vowed to make Sri Lanka a country where no child becomes a victim of the drug menace. - BERNAMA