Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has stated that 574,000 people, including drug traffickers, have been arrested in drug-related operations over the past two years.

Addressing a rally in Nikaweratiya today (11 October), he also noted that 3,980 firearms illegally possessed by criminals had been taken into State custody.

The Minister stated that steps were being taken to strengthen criminal investigations, increase the number of courts and judges, and expedite nearly 1.1 million pending court cases.