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Monks, native physicians call for legalising cannabis for medical purposes

Published

5 years ago

2021/01/19

by Saman Indrajith

The Sri Lanka Indigenous Medicine Confederation yesterday called on the government to legalise the use of cannabis to promote indigenous medicine.

Chairman of the Confederation Ven Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera yesterday said that even Buddha had preached the use of the plant for its medicinal use and, therefore, the government should think of legalising it for the promotion of indigenous medicine practices.

Addressing the media at the Sri Pangnananda Dharmayathana in Kelaniya Ven Nalaka Thera said that the indigenous medicinal practices, known as Hela Vedakama, had existed for generations in this country and had approved the medicinal use of the cannabis plant. “Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the people have realised the value of indigenous medicinal practices unlike in the pre-pandemic times. It is time we considered promoting the traditional methods and the use of ancient wisdom for the benefit of the people. The government has a duty to understand the need for conducting more research on the traditional methods rather than blindly seeking solutions from western methods.”

Ven Nalaka Thera said that the value of indigenous medicine was that the country did not have to rely on imports for its ingredients that could be found locally so that a huge sum of monies spent for medicine could be saved.

The Thera said: “Cannabis is used as an ingredient in most of the indigenous medicine and some native doctors have given up producing them because of the shortage of the ingredient since it has been banned because it is abused as a narcotic. The colonial rulers knew that banning cannabis would deal a major blow on the traditional medicinal practices. It is a valuable medicine. Even the Buddha had approved its use for medicinal purposes. It is mentioned in the Bhesajjabandhaka of Mahavagga Pali that the vapour of cannabis boiled in water should be used to cure body pains. There are references in Tripitaka of the use of cannabis hemp to prepare a type of robes known as Bahngam robes. It is said that wearing that robe will cure some illnesses. Therefore, we point out to the government there is nothing wrong in using cannabis as a medicine.”

Secretary of the Confederation Indigenous doctor Sarath Kotteyawatte said that it was shown on media how the law enforcing agencies set fire to stocks of cannabis plants captured during raids. “While indigenous doctors give up producing medicine because of the shortage or no availability of the plant owing to the ban, kilos of captured plants are set on fire. It is the objective of our Confederation to promote indigenous medicine and uplift it to its former glory. The prevailing laws are a stumbling block and we call on the government to remove that hindrance.”

Traditional Indigenous doctor Nimal Warnasuriya: “The pharmaceutical mafia is very powerful. The biggest loser in legalising cannabis and promotion of indigenous medicine is the pharmaceutical mafia. The plant has not only been used as a medicinal ingredient but as a spice in preparing curries so that it would help promote the health of the people. That also helped immunity of children. Not only in indigenous medicine, even in Ayurveda it is an accepted fact. There are references in Robert Knox’s An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon that the then Lankans used the plant for medicinal purposes. The government should rethink all of these and legalize the plant for its medicinal use.”

Executive Committee Members of the Federation Ven Anguruwelle Jinananda Thera, Ayurvedic doctor Anil Jayaweera and Matugama Seneviruwan also addressed the press.

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Fuel prices increased

Published

14 hours ago

2026/05/31

Priyan

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight on Saturday (May 30).

Accordingly,
the price of Auto Diesel has been increased by Rs. 15 to Rs.407 per liter,
the price of Super Diesel has been increased by Rs. 20 to Rs. 478 per liter.
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News

Sangha reform drives stymied from within: CBK

Published

15 hours ago

2026/05/31

Thilina Walpola

Chandrika

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has called for a comprehensive reform programme within Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy, warning that repeated efforts to strengthen the Sasana have in the past been derailed by opposition from within sections of the Sangha itself.

In a statement addressed to the Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist chapters, Kumaratunga stressed that the long-term preservation of Buddhism depends on safeguarding both the Dhamma and Vinaya, or disciplinary code, and urged urgent internal reform to address what she described as deep-rooted structural weaknesses.

She noted that Buddhist history has consistently demonstrated that periods of institutional crisis were addressed through reform processes, citing precedents from the First Buddhist Council to reforms during the Kandyan era under Welivita Sri Saranankara Thera.

Referring to post-independence efforts, Kumaratunga said initiatives taken during the 1956 Bandaranaike administration to strengthen Buddhism were left incomplete following the assassination of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.

She further stated that during her own presidency, plans to convene a Buddhist Council under the guidance of the late Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thera had received government backing but were ultimately abandoned due to resistance from certain sections within the clergy.

The former President alleged that, on both occasions, vested interests benefiting from existing weaknesses within the Buddhist establishment had worked to obstruct meaningful reform efforts.

Warning that Buddhism in Sri Lanka is currently facing serious challenges, she called for a broad internal dialogue within the Sangha to identify root causes and implement both short- and long-term corrective measures.

Kumaratunga urged the Mahanayake Theras to take the lead in convening a Dharma Sanghayana, or Buddhist Council, and said she was prepared to work with senior lay Buddhist leaders to support such an initiative.

News

Court orders arrest of Basil

Published

15 hours ago

2026/05/31

Thilina Walpola

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Friday ordered the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratne, Managing Director Rumi Jauffer and several others over the alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8 million belonging to the Tourism Promotion Authority during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election campaign.

Magistrate Pasan Amarasena directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and produce the suspects before court, after it was informed that they would be named under the Public Property Act on the advice of the Attorney General.

The CID told court that attempts to take the suspects into custody from their residences had been unsuccessful as they were not present.

The Magistrate also imposed an overseas travel ban on the suspects and ordered that the Controller of Immigration and Emigration be notified.

Investigations have reportedly revealed that the funds were used to print 12,000 T-shirts bearing an image of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on one side and the name of a political party on the other.

According to the CID, the T-shirts were later distributed at a political event held in the Monaragala District.