Premier Rajapaksa says no to ganja
Co n t roversy arose in Parliament this week when Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) Matara District Parliamentarian Buddhika Pathirana alleged that some Government members were pushing to legalise ganja.
Mr Pathirana first raised the issue on Wednesday, asking Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa whether his Government intended to legalise ganja.
“I know that some MPs in this legislature are also involved in the push to legalise ganja cultivation,” he said.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa however, said he did not believe that in the current Parliament there were any members who used ganja.
“But I will look into it nonetheless,” he quipped.
The subject was brought up again on Thursday, when Mr Pathirana produced a book titled Triloka Vijaya which he said had been distributed among Parliament staff members.
“The book promotes ganja. Even outside visitors are not allowed in Parliament these days. As such, I would like to know how such a book was distributed among the staff,” he told Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana. The Speaker promised to conduct an investigation into the matter.
Mr Pathirana also pointed out that the dedication of the book says it is for the purpose of delight ( aanandaya labanna).
“What does it mean? Doesn’t it promote smoking ganja? I queried this from Ministers Bandula Gunawardena and S. B. Dissanayake, but could not get an answer.”
Mr Gunawardena at this point, insisted that he had nothing to do with the writing or distribution of the book.
On Friday, SJB Ratnapura district Parliamentarian Hesha Withanage brought up the subject with Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.
“We have heard a senior minister say the country can earn foreign exchange by exporting ganja. I would like to know whether this is the Cabinet’s view or the Minister’s personal view?”
Prime Minister Rajapaksa asked the SJB Parliamentarian to name the minister concerned.
“I’m talking about the Trade Minister," he said.
“In that case, the query should be directed to him, but I will definitely not allow the legalisation of ganja,” Premier Rajapaksa assured.