Sri Lanka Police say 9,105 children and young people aged between eight and 21 were arrested in connection with various drug-related allegations over a period of approximately one year.

Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler said the arrests took place during drug-related operations conducted across the country between 30 October 2025 and 1 October 2026.

Of the 9,105 people arrested, 8,932 were male and 173 were female.

The figures include 11 children aged between eight and 14. The police spokesperson expressed concern that children and very young people were being taken into police custody in connection with drug-related allegations.

Releasing the information in connection with World Children's Day, he expressed concern about the arrests of people aged eight to 21 in relation to various drug-related allegations.

An important distinction should be kept in mind when interpreting these statistics. Police have not said that all 9,105 people were drug traffickers, or that all of them had been convicted by a court.

The information released concerns people arrested in connection with various drug-related allegations. An arrest is not the same as a finding of guilt.

The age range of eight to 21 also includes both children and young adults. It would therefore be inaccurate to describe all 9,105 people simply as children.

As the number of drug-related cases in Sri Lanka increases, steps have also been taken to expedite the Government Analyst reports required for those cases.

According to information released by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, 17,506 Government Analyst reports relating to drug offences were issued during August and September 2026 alone. These comprised 9,061 reports in August and 8,445 in September.

The minister also said measures were being taken to expedite Government Analyst reports and introduce necessary legislative amendments as part of efforts to advance drug-related proceedings and reduce overcrowding in prisons.

The police figures showing 9,105 arrests of people aged eight to 21 over approximately one year highlight the need to pay attention to the relationship between Sri Lanka's younger generation and the drug problem.