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.”