COLOMBO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Sri Lankan military personnel took part in a week-long national drug eradication program by traveling across the country last week, raising awareness on the dangers of drug use, the army said in a statement Tuesday.

Over 1,000 military soldiers took part in the program which began on Jan. 21, under the directives of President Maithripala Sirisena.

The troop traveled across the country, distributing leaflets, educating students and people on the dangers of drug use and addiction.

Leaflets were also handed out to passengers traveling in trains and other public transport.

Sirisena, on Monday, requested members of the armed forces, police and civil security forces to come forward to free the country from the clutches of drug abuse in a similar manner in which they had successfully defeated the Tamil Tiger terrorists in 2009.

Sirisena said during his recent visits to the Philippines and Singapore, the leaders of both countries had also pledged to extend technical support towards the drug eradication program in Sri Lanka.

Sirisena said he aims to free Sri Lanka from drugs by 2020.