National Chamber of Commerce launches ‘Ayurveda Expo 2016’

Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Deputy Minister Faizal Cassim addressing the press conference, others from left:  Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary T. M. K. B. Thennakoon, NCCSL President and Ayurveda Expo 2016 Co-Chairman Thilak Godamanna, NCCSL Deputy President Asela de Livera and NCCSL Secretary General/CEO Bandula Dissanayake

Official launch of “AYURVEDA EXPO 2016” Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Deputy Minister Faizal Cassim, others are Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary T. M. K. B. Thennakoon, NCCSL President and Ayurveda Expo 2016 Co-Chairman Thilak Godamanna, NCCSL Deputy President Asela de Livera and NCCSL Secretary General/CEO Bandula Dissanayake

By Hiruni Dabarera

At a time when Western medicine is dominating the healthcare sector in Sri Lanka, the National Chamber of Commerce launched ‘Ayurveda Expo 2016’ under the patronage of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Deputy Minister Faizal Cassim to promote the Sri Lankan Ayurveda system both locally and overseas.

The exhibition, which will be held from 8 to 10 July at the BMICH, will focus on manufacturers of Ayurveda/herbal, nature friendly health foods and beverages, health resorts/spas, Ayurveda hospitals/clinics, educational institutions, yoga, acupuncture, etc. A Medical Symposium will also be conducted parallel to the exhibition where professionals, academics and researchers will present papers on traditional medicine. 

Addressing the gathering at the launch, the Deputy Minister declared that Sri Lanka was far behind in global standards when it came to Ayurveda medicine owing to the lack of commercial scale plantation of raw materials. Despite the increasing popularity of Sri Lankan Ayurveda practices in the international market, it is dominated by larger economies like India and South Korea. 

He charged that the Western medicine mafia deters Ayurveda practices by creating harmful genes that heighten the spread of diseases among the public in order to increase their sales. “Locals are reluctant to use Ayurveda medicine due to its higher prices and longer healing period,” the Deputy Minister asserted. 

However, Ayurveda medicine is one of the oldest healing practices in the world and is known to provide wellness through nature (reputed to be more nature friendly and more effective than Western medicine). It has proven to be successful for the treatment of diseases like hypercholesterolemia (use of guggulipid).

Last year the global herbal supplements and remedies market reached $ 93.15 billion. According to WHO estimates, the demand of herbal medicinal plants at present is almost $ 80 billion and is expected to touch $ 5 trillion by 2050. 

Sri Lanka, which is rich in biodiversity with almost 25% of forest coverage, has a globally-reputed Ayurveda healthcare system that attracts a large tourist base each year. Hence, by holding ‘Ayurveda Expo 2106’ for the sixth consecutive year, the Government hopes to improve its contribution towards economic growth through increased trade and investment on Ayurveda and native healthcare sector. This will be a platform for one-to-one business meetings that will showcase the technology available in other countries to the local market.

The website ‘Ayurveda Expo 2016’ was also launched by the Deputy Minister at the event.

Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe