Ayurveda system for country's development - Secretary

Priyanka KURUGALA

"The development decade has arrived. In this decade the indigenous medicine sector has a vast contribution to make for the development of the country. To make a success of this programme, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed me as the Secretary of Indigenous Medicine Ministry due to his confidence in me" newly appointed Indigenous Medicine Ministry Secretary Lalith Kannangara said.

He was addressing the media after assuming duties at the Indigenous Medicine Ministry yesterday. 'Sectors such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Yunanai and Homeopathy medical systems are included in the indigenous medicine field.

'Through these sectors the indigenous medicine sector expects to build up a healthy generation which could provide their contribution towards the country's development, he explained.

"There are 516 indigenous medicine hospitals in the country.

Some of them are under the government while some are under Provincial Councils and local institutions.

'Whatever it is the target of all is the conservation of health of the population", he said.

Kannangara also said that the indigenous medicine sector is a wide field which can make a good contribution to the country's development and that it is a good sector to attract tourists to the country.

'The trend is that this sector is flourishing day by day.

'The indigenous medicine sector can provide a good service to develop this concept.

Indigenous Medicine Acting Minister Pandu Bandaranayake, Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation chairman Somaweera Chandrasiri, Indigenous Medicine National Hospital Director Dr. D.H. Tennekoon also participated in this event.