COLOMBO, Aug. 10 -- Sri Lanka's 'A Nation United' (Ratama Ekata) National Steering Council has discussed imposing the death penalty for drug-related offences as the country's narcotics problem increasingly threatens its economy, tourism industry and social fabric.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Council chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (10).

The Council discussed the need for tougher laws to combat the criminal networks and vast wealth generated through drug trafficking, which officials said had evolved from a threat to individuals and families into a broader national crisis.

President Dissanayake stressed the need for urgent practical measures and a change in public at...