MINISTER HERATH AT KOCHI CONFERENCE ON AYURVEDA

Chief Minister of SGPC Mahipala Herath recently participated in the second global Ayurvedic festival that was held i n Kochi in Kerala, India. The conference was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi from February 20 to

24.

Kerala is known throughout the world as the heartland of authentic Ayurveda. The subject ministry was under the control of Chief Minister Mahipala Herath last year. A provincial hospital, a district hospital and ten rural hospitals were brought under his purview as a result.

The minister had already shown that he

A provincial hospital, a district hospital and ten rural hospitals were brought under that his purview

had a vision for the industry as he had taken pains to re-establish Provincial Ayurveda Conservation Boards and reinforce that process from rural to provincial level. Apart from that he had also looked into the possibility of starting a degree programme for Ayurveda at the Sabaragamuwa University. In addition he had entrusted Government Agents with the power to act on behalf of the Assistant Ayurveda Commissioner.

The minister had confirmed that he had a plan to introduce foreign visitors to the intricacies of Ayurveda and its application to our daily lives. He remarked that Ayurveda Medicine was a big part of our peoples' lives and promised to develop the use of Ayurveda medicine in areas like Kithulgala, Rambukkana and Embilipitiya.

These places were known to attract visitors from all over the world as they were the most scenic as well as had many medicinal plants for them to view when they come to this country, he said.