Sri Lankan and Indian narcotics-control authorities have held their fifth Director-General-level talks in Colombo, focusing on cross-border narcotics trafficking and cooperation between the two countries' enforcement agencies.
The talks were held on September 23.
The Indian delegation was led by R. Sudhakar, Deputy Director General of India's Narcotics Control Bureau, while the Sri Lankan delegation was led by DIG K.D.G.L. Ashoka Dharamasena of the Police Narcotics Bureau.
Officials from several law-enforcement, maritime, legal and financial institutions participated.
Maritime trafficking among key issues
The two sides reviewed emerging drug-trafficking trends, particularly trafficking through maritime routes.
Discussions also covered tracing organised criminals and coordinating intelligence and investigative efforts.
According to the official Indian statement, actionable intelligence concerning drug-trafficking operators, routes and methods was also shared.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen institutional cooperation and coordination between their drug-law-enforcement agencies.
Cooperation, not a new treaty
The talks represent bilateral law-enforcement cooperation.
They should not be described as establishing a new treaty or a new legally binding bilateral framework unless such an instrument is separately announced.