The commencement of the medicinal herb planting project, which is implemented to mark the 76th independence day by bringing together the government institutions all over the island together with the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine and the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, took place today (02) at the Ministry of Public Administration under the auspices of the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

The relevant ministries are taking action to implement this program to cover the entire country, and it is expected to plant 10 lakh medicinal herbs. Although certain medicinal plants have to be imported into Sri Lanka to produce certain types of medicines required for local Ayurvedic medicine, the import of such items has been restricted as a result of the current economic situation. Under this circumstance, the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine has decided to launch this program based on the fact that the local pharmaceutical industry has faced a certain crisis, and the Ministry expects to plant these medicinal herbs in the uncultivated but cultivable lands owned by the government in the future. This medicinal herb planting program will be implemented, covering Ministries, Departments, District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats. Development officers and Ayurveda Conservation Councils will perform the supervision of the project.

The Prime Minister initiated this program by planting a red sandalwood plant in the premises of his ministry, and the State Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Ashoka Priyantha, the State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Mr. Janaka Wakkambura, the Member of Parliament, Mr. Yadamini Gunawardena and the Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Pradeep Yasaratne, planted a number of other herbs.

The State Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Mr. Sisira Jayakodi and the officials of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and Department of Ayurveda were also present on this occasion.