Drug dealers arrested at Wanathamulla

by Nilma Dole

Around 1,000 drug dealers have been arrested at Wanathamulla, said Borella Police Officer-In-Charge Anura Gunatileke.

He said that a majority of these people were living in housing units at Wanathamulla (now called Seevaleepura) which is one of the largest shanty areas in Colombo with issues such as prostitution and drug-dealing being rampant.

"The only way drug addicts can make money is by working as drug dealers. They linger near the Welikada prison to sell drugs. These dealers are very quick and agile, making it difficult for police to arrest them," he said.

According to the OIC, about 3,500 families are heavily involved in the drug business at Wanathamulla with children taking over from their parents.

The OIC said that out of the total population at Wanathamulla, around 1,500 have not been to school and about 8,000 do not even know how to read, but they are very capable and have plenty of potential".

Even though many programs have been carried out by the US Save the Children Federation, together with the Urban Development Authority and the National Housing Development Authority to set up the Wanathamulla Community Development Centre, these results haven't proven tangible.