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President hails Ayurveda System:
WHO funds sought for Ayurveda research
Chaminda PERERA
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the Government is
exploring the possibility to obtain financial assistance from a fund
maintained by the World Health Organization to promote Ayurvedic
research in the country.
He added that Ayurvedic students should have proper understanding of
the indigenous medical practising systems in foreign countries and the
Government is in the process of discussing a mechanism with the WHO to
provide scholarships to these students. The President was speaking at a
meeting with the indigenous medical practitioners, Ayurvedic graduates
and diplomates at Temple Trees yesterday. He said the Government has
never discriminated against the Ayurvedic medical practitioners.
President Rajapaksa stressed that the indigenous medical
practitioners and the western medical practitioners are treated as equal
by the Government.
The President said the Government will develop a mechanism for
integrating the indigenous medical practising system into the country�s
development by promoting it in foreign countries.
He said the Ayurvedic system should be converted to a source of
tourist attraction which will help increase the country�s foreign
exchange earnings.
The President said the Ayurveda system received an impetus under the
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike Government in 1956 and thousands of students came
out as Ayurvedic diplomates from the Gampaha and Borella Ayurvedic
institutes.
President Rajapaksa said the Government succeeded in wiping out
terrorism from the country.
He added that the Government did not neglect the country�s
development though massive funds were channelled to eradicate terrorism.
He said the country for the first time is witnessing the development of
four harbours.
The first phase of the Hambantota harbour project is nearing
completion, he said. President Rajapaksa said the Government averted the
major power shortage by initiating several power generation projects
such as Norochcholai Coal power plant, Upper Kotmale Hydro power plant
and the Kerawalapitiya thermal power plant. President Rajapaska was also
presented with a special memento by the indigenous medical practitioners
in recognition of his service to the country. |
