brand logo

Bandula wants to export cannabis

17 Oct 2021

  • Concerned over reluctance to initiate dialogue 
By The Sunday Morning Business Desk Amidst an ongoing forex crisis, Sri Lanka could earn a higher return on export proceedings if an initiative is taken by the local industry to extract and export hemp, a type of cannabis plant, to the international market, Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardana told The Sunday Morning Business. Speaking to us, Gunawardana expressed his concern that even though Sri Lanka has the potential to earn a higher revenue in dollars for cannabis exports, no one was initiating a dialogue, as they were “restricted with their own religious and cultural barriers”. “It was the British who banned cannabis, as they could not face the strength of the Sri Lankans. But it is an unfortunate situation today, as people should start changing their opinion in this modern world,” Gunawardana said. Explaining further, he emphasised that scientists proved that cannabis can be used as a cure for cancer treatments and for other medical purposes, which is why Sri Lanka could also look at the positive perspective and start exporting cannabis to the international market, as it could generate forex during this time of need. Meanwhile, in July, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Diana Gamage stated that measures were currently underway to legalise the cultivation and exportation of medicinal marijuana in Sri Lanka, as she deemed it an “absolute necessity” for the country. Speaking to us, Gamage said that an act was currently being prepared to this effect and the subject was being discussed with the nation’s top Ayurvedic doctors. Furthermore, she highlighted that the global cannabis industry was worth billions of dollars, and Sri Lanka needed to capitalise on the same, which will assist in the nation’s ability to settle its international debts. “We are talking about a huge industry. I am not just referring to exporting only for medicinal purposes. From beauty products to fast-moving consumable goods (FMCGs) and food and drink, cannabis is used in numerous industries,” she said. When queried on her thoughts on the recreational use of cannabis in Sri Lanka, Gamage stated that classifying cannabis as a drug is where “it all went wrong”. “If you look back at our history, there has never been an issue with anyone using cannabis for recreational purposes in Sri Lanka. The people of this country were brainwashed by the British who banned this. Today, we see so many citizens who are addicted to all kinds of other drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Categorising cannabis as a drug is where it all went wrong for us,” she stated. Gamage also noted that even though cannabis use is illegal in the country, many people use it. However, she stated that most recreational users tend to use cannabis that is adulterated. In April this year, she proposed in Parliament that Sri Lanka legalise the cultivation and exportation of medicinal cannabis to other countries. However, her proposal was met with strong criticism. In response to this, Gamage expressed that there was no room for such criticisms. “People criticise everything in this country – that is just the norm. It is accepted globally, and over 50 countries engage in cannabis cultivation. It is essential for our Ayurvedic treatments as well. There is nothing to criticise about it. Once this is fully implemented, and after the people see the benefits, they will understand that it was a correct decision to make,” she said. Referring to the response to her proposal in Parliament, she noted that none of the clergymen came forward with criticisms. “They (clergy) themselves believe that this is a medical necessity. Cultivation of cannabis does not require a lot of resources. If it is to result in huge sums of revenue which we can use to settle our debts, I don’t see why we should not move forward with this,” she reiterated. Earlier this year, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, speaking at a public gathering held in Monaragala, stated that a policy-level decision had to be taken as far as relaxing the laws pertaining to cannabis in Sri Lanka was concerned.


More News..