Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force reported that it had arrested two people in Valvettithurai on Thursday, over the possession of over 18kg of cannabis.
The arrests come as the Sri Lankan security forces reportedly began a crackdown on drug use across the island, which has been particularly rampant in the military occupied Tamil North-East.
The two arrested were reportedly a 38-year-old and 27-year-old, both from Jaffna and have been handed over to the Valvettithurai for further investigation.
The latest arrest comes after Tamil UNP MP Vijayakala Maheswaran said last year that politicians from the South of the island were responsible for supplying the drugs in the North. On previous occasions, Sri Lankan soldiers have been caught smuggling drugs in the North-East.
Other Tamil politicians, including TNA MPs and the Chief Minister of the Northern Province, have also previously spoken out on drug smuggling in the North, and how rising drug use in the region is linked to militarisation and aimed at eradicating Tamil society.
Earlier this week a Tamil school student was attacked and hospitalised after reporting to Sri Lankan police about illegal drug dealing in his local area.
