Natural resources best way to overcome economic crisis- Dr Chandima Wijegunawardena

Text and picture by PRIYAN DE SILVA

Leader of the newly-formed Sri Lanka Humanity Party, Dr Chandima Wijegunawardena said that the abundance of natural resources in Sri Lanka if utilised wisely would help overcome the present economic crisis. “We should not give up because as a nation we could overcome this crisis with the resources we have without borrowing more and more” she said.

Dr. Wijegunawardena pointed out that most of the flora in the country had medicinal properties and could be used to manufacture health products for export. She said that Soursop or Anona Muricata would be in high demand as it had properties that kill cancer cells while Moringa Oleifera (Murunga or Drumsticks), Garcinia (Goraka), Aloe vera (Komarika) were just a few of the plants that had medicinal properties. “We should add value to our products rather than export the basic raw materials” she stressed.

“Drinking water from our springs is another natural resource that can be exported”.

She also said that the dollar crisis could be overcome if all Sri Lankans only purchased local produce including food items, textiles, footwear and even appliances.

Dr Wijegunawardena pointed out that a household that had a jackfruit tree would not starve as it bore between 200 to 500 fruits per year and jackfruit is edible at all stages of its growth. Furthermore the seeds and flesh could be preserved.