A lorry containing 3,000 kilos of the ayurvedic herb Katuwel-batu -a herb which was being transported from Puttalam to Colombo was taken into custody by the Wariyapola police on April 21.
The herbs valued at Rs. 100,000 were seized while being transported to a firm in Colombo.
Police allege the transportation of the herb violates the Flora and Fauna Act. But the Department of Ayurveda has said no permit was required to transport the herb.
In a letter sent by the Assistant Commissioner of Ayurveda to the police, he confirmed transporting Katuwel-batu was not illegal and farmers did not require permits to transport the herb within the country.
A farmer in Anamaduwa area spoke of the difficulties farmers in these areas faced from elephants and other denizens of the wild. “In our area elephants pose a threat to all types of cultivation. However elephants do not enter katuwel-batu fields. Because of this I cultivated the herb even though it brings less income than cash crops.
“Now the police have taken our produce into custody,” he lamented.
Katuwel-batu is cultivated in the areas of Mahakubukkaduwela, Anamaduwa, Paliyagoda,Muriyathulama, Kottukacchiya, Puttalam and ManaweriyaKatuwel-batu –an ingredient used in ayurvedic preparations was earlier imported into the country. Commercial cultivation of the herb commenced in 1990.
The Field Research and Development Officer of the company to which the herb was being transported said katuwel-batu grown in Sri Lanka were of a far superior quality to the imported variety. He added the local variety contained all nutrients needed to manufacture ayurvedic drugs.
Meanwhile a senior officer at the Wariyapola police station insisted they believed the Fauna and Flora Act had been violated and were continuing to enquire into the matter.
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| Farmer Leelasena holds up his prickly crop cultivated with much difficulty |
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| Harvesting the crop is no easy business. But now farmers must wait while bureaucrats quible over legalities |
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| The flower is pretty but the thorns of the battu hurt. |
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| The thorns, fruit and the vines are all used in ayurvedic preparationss, |
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