ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will enable hashish cultivation in its export zones underneath strict rules just for export functions, Cupboard Spokesman and Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated.
He stated the federal government had been persevering with a course of began in 2004 in any case the mandatory approvals, together with from the Cupboard of Ministers, had been granted prior to now.
“An establishment has been established to begin the enlargement (of hashish cultivation) underneath the Board of Funding (BOI),” Jayatissa, additionally the island nation’s Well being Minister, instructed reporters on Tuesday in the course of the weekly Cupboard media briefing.
He stated permission is granted for the cultivation underneath strict security procedures.
“That is the primary time that such a scenario has arisen and that the federal government has given the chance for export on this approach,” he stated.
The cultivation will probably be underneath the strict rules of BOI and Division of Ayurveda and they are going to be allowed solely to export.
Traders can even should renew the cultivation licences each six months, Minister Jayatissa stated.
Sri Lanka has just lately explored the cultivation of hashish as a part of its broader efforts to earn much-needed international alternate amid ongoing financial challenges.
The earlier authorities has proposed regulated cultivation of medical-grade hashish for export functions, significantly concentrating on markets in Europe and North America the place medicinal hashish is authorized and in excessive demand.
Authorities argue that with Sri Lanka’s beneficial tropical local weather and agricultural experience, the nation is well-positioned to turn into a key participant on this area of interest export trade.
The initiative, nonetheless, had been going through each regulatory hurdles and public debate over balancing financial potential with social and moral issues surrounding drug use. (Colombo/August 13/2025)
