“Those who engage in the sale of deadly narcotics for the sake of quick wealth do not think about the impact on society. At the same time, they have threatened those working to rehabilitate individuals addicted to these deadly drugs. We cannot simply step back and let society deteriorate by succumbing to these threats,” said the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The launch event for the book ‘Vidiyal’, written by Reverend Father David Vincent, was jointly organized by the Jaffna District Secretariat and the Maatram Foundation. The event took place on Thursday evening – 23rd October 2025, at the Jaffna District Secretariat Auditorium, under the chairmanship of P. Benignus, Director of the Maatram Foundation.
Speaking after launching the book as the chief guest, the Governor stated, “When I assumed duties as the Jaffna District Secretary, Reverend Father David Vincent had just arrived in Jaffna from Mannar. He showed deep concern for our society. During that time, around 20 young mothers came to meet me with their infants, pleading to save their husbands from addiction to deadly narcotics. We informed the police and attempted to send them to the Kanthakadu Rehabilitation Center, but we were told there was no space available. I discussed this issue with Reverend Father Vincent.”
“He proposed starting a rehabilitation center here and took the initiative to establish one. He told me that about 50 percent of those who come to the center recover, while the other 50 percent return to addiction,” the Governor added.
“During the time he was actively running the rehabilitation program, he was once taken to Maniyathottam in a three-wheeler and brutally attacked. By God’s grace, he was saved. Additionally, the rehabilitation center faced stone-throwing attacks at night. Despite these challenges, he did not abandon his efforts.”
The Governor further noted, “The Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Northern Province, during a meeting at the District Secretariat, instructed police station officers in charge not to receive information about drug trafficking directly but to pass it on to him personally. This shows the extent of the network involved in the trade of deadly narcotics. If we succumb to fear, we cannot save our society. Even at his age, Reverend Father Vincent continues to take bold action against deadly narcotics, and we will all support him.”
The event was attended by Jaffna District Secretary M. Pradeepan as the special guest and Reverend Father Soosai Damian Amadi, Director of Valarpirai Institute, as the guest of honor. Dr. P. Thanapalan, Senior Lecturer at the Jaffna National College of Education, delivered a review of the book.
