Govt's anti-drug campaign a success

Islandwide praise for Mathata Thitha program

by Deepal Warnakulasuriya

A research conducted by the Research Unit of the Media and Information Ministry has found that the Mathata Thitha program launched by the Government was a huge success. The survey was conducted in 20 districts to get a feedback from people on the Mahinda Chinthana concept.

According to the Unit, views were sought from the public on development projects, measures on public security, media behaviour and several other topics. A total of 1,346 persons representing all the 20 districts were interviewed.

The research on Mathata Thitha which was implemented with a view to having a cultured and poverty-free society has been voted 73.6 per cent making it as the successful program, while only 20.7 per cent branded it as unsuccessful with, 5.7 per cent refraining.

Kandy district is at the top with 85.5 percent with Matara, Kegalle and Ampara placed second, third and fourth respectively.

Nuwara Eliya is the district with most number of participants confirmed as successful according to their point of view. Voting, 57.8 per cent 'Yes' and 40 per cent 'No'.

At educational level, the highest number which has said that the program was negative belonged to the category - 'Did not go to school' with a percentage of 41.2. The second category, Grade 8' with 21.1%. On a communitywise basis, Tamil participants 38.6 per cent have said 'No' to the program while Muslims and Sinhalese recorded 35.4 and 18.6 per cent.

'Banning smoking in public places' has been okayed by 1,147 participants out of a total of 1,346 participants identifying it as a practical necessity, with a public approval of 85.2 per cent.

"Ban on consuming liquor in public places" has also been accepted by the people as one of the most practical decisions taken by the Government, with 1,163 votes and the percentage is 86.4.

The public have also welcomed the Government's decision to close the bars and taverns during New Year seasons and on Full Moon Poya days like Vesak, Poson, with a very high percentage 90. The survey has thus proved that the Mathata Thitha through the Mahinda Chinthana concept has resulted to cut down on family disputes by 64.3 per cent.

Most of the participants from Colombo have expressed that Mathata Thitha program should be conducted by a separate team and not by the Police. Supporting the above idea people from Kurunegala have said that instead of following the principles of law, Police make money. Participants from Puttalam have also confirmed that Police take bribery, instead of implementing the Mathata Thitha recommendations.

While the participants from Badulla district look for strict rules and regulations with harsh punishments, participants from Kegalle come with a suggestion.

They said that almost all the bars are owned by MPs and their permits should be cancelled. But, Kandy district participants have recommended a huge price hikes on these products.