Minister Chamal says he will not permit foreign exchange earnings through ganja exports

By Saman Indrajith

Irrigation Minister and State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Minister Chamal Rajapaksa told Parliament on Friday (9) that he would not allow any proposal to earn foreign exchange by exporting ganja.

Responding to a question by SJB Ratnapura District MP Hesha Withanage, the Minister said that anyone could make any such statements but he would not permit such a situation under his watch.

MP Withanage said one of the cabinet ministers had been reported by media having stated that ganja should be legalised and Sri Lanka could earn foreign exchange by exporting the narcotic. “We want to know whether it is the position of the government, the Cabinet of ministers or is it a personal stand point of that particular minister. The government has been speaking of strengthening the economy. Are you now going to build the economy by selling ganja?”

The government members asked the MP to name the minister.

MP Withanage: That statement was made by a senior minister. He sits there on the front row. The statement was published in the media. It was said by the Trade Minister. Minister Rajapaksa: I think it would be better if you asked the question from the Trade Minister himself. I would not allow that on my watch.”