Fuji Films patent Kotala Himbutu

Disna MUDALIGE

The Japanese Fuji Films Company has recently procured the patent for a valuable medicinal compound in Salacia (Kotala Himbutu) plant, which is in use in the traditional ayurveda medicine in Sri Lanka, Environmental Lawyer Jagath Gunawardena told the Daily News.

Salacia Reticulada is the variety that contains this specific medicinal value.

This variety is only found in Sri Lanka. Throughout the history of our indigenous medicine, this plant is used to treat Venereal Diseases, skin ailments, rheumatism and diabetes. According to the patent, they have identified that this plant can be used to treat allergic symptoms due to sensitivity pollen, skin ailment and bronchial asthma. According to the patent issued on April 1, 2010, "any food or pharmaceutical product that has immunopotentiator or anti allergy agent that is made out of an extract or pulverized product of any plant belonging to the Salacia" is belonging to them.

"The worst part regarding this patent is that they have admitted that it is already in use in Sri Lanka and India as an ayurvedic medicine, and have mentioned that it is handed out in Sri Lanka" he pointed out.

This company has failed up to now to identify the active compounds in the plant. They have just done the basic test. Due to this patent, Sri Lanka is denied of the rights of this particular medicinal compound as well as the products with this medicinal compound. This patent is valid for 184 countries for a period of 20 years.

The same company has procured 8 patents related to the genus salacia, and 40 countries have different patents related to this plant. Among them, the only Sri lankan to procure the patent related to this particular plant is the owner of Siddhalepa Group Victor Hettigoda.

This is a situation where the Japanese has created monopoly over our local resources.

This is an ultimate result of exporting the valuable medicinal plants in Sri Lanka illegally, over a continued period in the past. With the Fauna and Flora Amendment Act in 2009, all species of the genus salacia are protected. Therefore, the exportation of any part or any product containing any salacia material is an offense.