Colombo, Feb 15 (NIA) – Sri Lanka’s cabinet, on Wednesday agreed to purchase 20 sniffer dogs to deploy at the Bandaranaike International Airport to catch drugs and illegal items.
Cabinet Spokesperson, Rajitha Senaratne told a weekly media briefing here that following a proposal made by Transport Minister, Nimal Siripala De Silva, the government had agreed to purchase these sniffer dogs to identify explosives, firearms, drugs, money and illegal items in the airport and for the protection of civil aviation services.
Sri Lanka has in recent months seized large drug hauls, with authorities stating that the island country may be used as a transit hub to transport drugs.
Local media reports on Wednesday said that Pakistan had already come forward to assist Sri Lanka conduct a massive investigation into the international drug racket operating through the country.
Investigations were launched after Sri Lankan authorities nabbed over 2 kg of cocaine at the airport, on Tuesday.
A Lithuanian and two Nigerians were arrested by the Police Narcotics Eradication Bureau to attempting to smuggle the cocaine which was valued at Rs.30 million.