By Asoka S. Seneviratne –

“The strength of a nation lies not in its numbers, but in its unity of purpose.” — Anonymous

When I published “The Meaning of Rata Anurata — Is It a Reality on the Ground?” on August 29, 2025, I did not expect that I would soon be writing about Ratama Ekata — the bold and unwavering national operation led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD). Yet, in less than two months, Sri Lanka’s reality has changed significantly.

What was once a conceptual discussion about national unity and renewal has now transformed into an unprecedented nationwide movement — a mission not of rhetoric, but of results. Ratama Ekata has emerged as a defining test of leadership, discipline, and collective resolve. It represents the transition from vision to execution — from ideals of reform to tangible enforcement.

Sri Lanka’s path to recovery has long been hindered not only by economic instability and political turbulence but also by the devastating spread of drugs and organized crime. These issues have quietly eroded the country’s social fabric, reduced productivity, and fostered fear and lawlessness in communities across the island. Increasing evidence now indicates that the scale of drug trafficking, illegal alcohol production, and organized criminal networks has reached crisis levels—posing one of the most serious threats to Sri Lanka’s national security and development.

Recognizing this, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has committed to launching a comprehensive initiative called “Ratama Ekata – National Operation,” led by a National Operations Council. This urgent national program aims to eliminate the drug problem, break down organized crime, and rehabilitate those addicted to drugs through widespread citizen involvement and coordination among multiple agencies.

The following outlines the key pillars of this operation and the strategies required to ensure that it achieves its expected outcomes effectively and sustainably.

Political Leadership and Commitment

No national operation of this scale can succeed without unwavering political leadership. President Dissanayake’s commitment to combating drugs and organized crime must translate into consistent political will across all levels of governance. Every ministry, provincial authority, and local administrative body must be aligned under one coordinated strategy with clear accountability.

Political leadership should also involve setting measurable targets — reducing drug inflows, lowering organized crime rates, and achieving successful rehabilitation outcomes within fixed timeframes. A strong monitoring framework, led directly by the President’s Office, will ensure progress is reviewed, issues are identified early, and corrective actions are taken promptly.

An Effective Operational Mechanism: Integration of the Three Forces

The success of Ratama Ekata depends heavily on operational strength and coordination among the tri-forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Police, Customs, and Coast Guard. A centralized National Intelligence Fusion Center should be established to integrate data from these agencies and act swiftly against criminal networks.

Border surveillance, coastal patrols, and rapid-response teams should operate under unified command, with intelligence-led raids replacing traditional reactive policing. Joint training programs between military and police units can further enhance efficiency and professionalism in operations targeting drug trafficking and organized crime.

Awareness, Public Participation, and Community Empowerment

The “people’s factor” remains one of the most powerful tools in sustaining national operations. Citizens must not be mere observers — they must become active partners in eradicating the drug menace. A national awareness campaign through schools, media, and community organizations should educate the public about the economic, social, and health costs of narcotics and illegal alcohol.

Moreover, a community surveillance network — involving religious leaders, teachers, and youth organizations — can serve as a first line of detection against drug peddling and local-level corruption. By instilling civic pride and responsibility, the Ratama Ekata movement can transform fear into collective action.

Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Addicts

A compassionate yet disciplined approach to rehabilitation is essential. Those trapped in addiction are not enemies of the state but victims of a larger system that profits from their dependency. The National Operations Council should establish modern rehabilitation centers (i) combining medical treatment, (ii) psychological counseling, (iii) vocational training, and post-(iv) recovery job placement.

Partnerships with NGOs, religious institutions, and the private sector can expand the reach of these programs, ensuring every recovering addict is reintegrated into society with dignity and purpose. Preventing relapse through community support and continuous monitoring will be vital to the sustainability of these efforts.

Fear Factor: Legal and Institutional Reform – Modern Laws for Modern Crime

To create real deterrence, Sri Lanka must place the Fear Factor at the heart of its new legal and institutional reforms. For too long, outdated and fragmented laws have allowed criminals to exploit loopholes and continue operating with impunity. It is time to instill lawful fear — not through brutality, but through certainty and severity of justice.

Key measures include:

* Enacting modern anti-narcotic and organized crime legislation with strict sentencing guidelines.

* Establishing fast-track courts for major narcotic, money laundering, and illegal production cases.

* Empowering the judiciary to confiscate all vehicles, boats, ships, and assets or properties used in trafficking—on the spot—ensuring that crime never pays. The above all must apply to illegal alcohol production, distribution, and sales.

* Introducing mandatory life imprisonment for key offenders proven guilty under suitable legal provisions.

* Strengthening witness protection programs, digital evidence systems, and inter-agency data sharing to ensure prosecutions are swift and secure.

Voluntary Disclosure Window & Public Warning Campaign

To amplify the fear factor while offering a path for reform, a nationwide Public Warning and Voluntary Disclosure Programme must be launched:

* Nationwide Awareness: Use all media — TV, radio, newspapers, social media, and community channels — to deliver the clear message: voluntary surrender is the last chance; failure to comply will result in life imprisonment.

* Limited Disclosure Period: A strictly time-bound window (e.g., 30 days) allows individuals to surrender narcotics, illegal alcohol, and equipment. Those who disclose voluntarily will be routed to verified rehabilitation programs.

* Secure Surrender Process: Designated centers under official supervision will handle all surrenders transparently, ensuring safety and credibility.

* Zero Tolerance After Deadline: Once the period ends, any offender found in possession or trafficking will face immediate asset confiscation, fast-track prosecution, and life imprisonment, with no exceptions.

This strategy balances compassion for voluntary reform with uncompromising deterrence for hardened criminals, multiplying the effectiveness of the Fear Factor.

International Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships

Drug trafficking and organized crime are transnational threats; therefore, Sri Lanka cannot fight this battle alone. The Ratama Ekata operation must actively seek regional and global collaboration with INTERPOL, UNODC, and neighboring states’ law enforcement agencies.

Key actions include:

* Strengthening intelligence sharing and coordination on maritime routes, financial flows, and trafficking networks.

* Establishing bilateral maritime security agreements and deploying liaison officers abroad to track global supply chains.

* Creating a National Intelligence Fusion Centre to integrate domestic agencies with international databases, ensuring real-time monitoring and swift enforcement.

* Securing technical assistance, training, and technology from experienced countries to modernize surveillance, forensic investigation, and rehabilitation programs.

International collaboration amplifies the Fear Factor globally — signaling that there is no safe haven for traffickers, whether at sea, on land, or in offshore accounts.

Conclusion

The Ratama Ekata – National Operation is much more than just a law enforcement campaign; it is a nation-wide awakening. It represents Sri Lanka’s commitment to (i) reclaim its moral foundation, (ii) restore discipline, and (iii) rebuild justice and public trust.

Under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership, this initiative combines political will, legal reform, operational coordination, and broad public participation. New strategies—including the Voluntary Disclosure campaign, strict Fear Factor enforcement, and international cooperation—balance compassion for those willing to reform with firm deterrence for hardened criminals.

If executed with integrity, coordination, and transparency, Ratama Ekata will not only dismantle drug trafficking and organized crime networks but also:

* Restore public trust in governance and justice;

* Empower citizens to protect their communities;

* Reassert state authority over illegal economic activity; and

* Strengthen Sri Lanka’s regional and international role in combating transnational crime.

Ultimately, the success of Ratama Ekata will be measured not just by arrests or seizures, but by the transformation of Sri Lanka itself — from a nation paralyzed by fear into one united by law, purpose, and collective responsibility. Through compassion, decisive deterrence, and global collaboration, Sri Lanka can emerge as a model of disciplined governance, national resilience, and moral renewal.

Ratama Ekata — A Nation United, Fearless, and Free.

*The writer, among many, worked as the Special Advisor to the Office of the President of Namibia (2006-2012) and was a Senior Consultant with UNDP for 20 years. He worked as a Senior Economist with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (1972-199). asoka.seneviratne@gmail.com