Herbal imports to be minimised

Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: Indigenous Medicine Minister Tissa Karaliyadda said the Ministry has inaugurated a herbal plant cultivation programme to minimise herbal imports.

Addressing the media at Hotel Galadari, Karaliyadda said for the first time herbal plants have been cultivated in Madawachchiya area in the Anuradhapura district. A number of farmers engaged in herbal cultivation were given Rs.30,000 as an allowance and a water pump each.

The Minister said they were able to cut down expenditure on herbal imports thanks to this project. Earlier, 44 types of herbal compounds were imported from India.

He said farmers engaged in herbal cultivation should be motivated.

The Minister said even the west has been attracted by Sri Lanka’s Ayurvedic medicine and stressed that the indigenous medical sector should be more productive.

Karaliyadda said some persons were using Ayurveda medicine only to earn money, and not as a meritorious deed.

“Laws will be implemented to safeguard the indigenous medical sector from such traders,” he said.

The Ministry has inaugurated a programme to cultivate Rathu Handun, Sudu Handun and Devadaru throughout the country in selected areas, Karaliyadda said.

Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris said exports constitute the backbone of the economy.

“When we export, priority should be given to ayurveda medicine,” he said.