Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Diana Gamage today (20) proposed that Sri Lanka should legalise cannabis, pointing out that it is grown and exported as a medicinal drug to other countries under the State. Earlier this year, the President, speaking at a public gathering held in Monaragala, stated that a policy-level decision has to be taken as far as relaxing the laws pertaining to cannabis in Sri Lanka is concerned. She also said that the Excise Department should implement steps to integrate a night economy concept into Sri Lanka to attract tourists. She stated that even if tourists come into Sri Lanka, they do not have enough places to spend their money due to the fact that most attraction spots, including bars, close before midnight every day. “We are sitting on a treasure and we are not utilizing it to the fullest. I propose that bars should be given licenses to be open until at least 1 a.m., and to establish that in the Excise Ordinance Act,” she said in Parliament today. She brought attention to the fact that Sri Lanka as a country is only implementing those businesses that function for the day economy, such as agriculture. “In order to fit into the modern world, we should implement the same steps for the night economy,” she concluded. In response to this, MP Shantha Bandara questioned whether this was prompted by the Government, to which Gamage replied that she was sharing her own views as a proposal in the amendments to the Excise Ordinance Act