Ayurveda Expo 2018 in July to showcase alternative treatments to NCDs

Deegayu Ayurvedic and Botanical Products Chairman and Managing Director Sarath Jayakody, Ayurveda Expo Patron Asoka Hettigoda, NCC President Sujeeve Samaraweera, NCC Secretary Deepal Nelson and NCC Senior Deputy President Asela de Livera at the Ayurveda Expo 2018 website launch – Pic by Upul Abayasekara

By DivyaThotawatte

The 2018 edition of the Ayurveda Expowill be held from 13 to 15 July at the BMICH, featuring a range of treatments to non-communicable diseases including diabetes and cancer as the local industry attempts to target a growing client base locally and abroad.      

Held for the seventh year, the Ayurveda Expo is organised by the National Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Ministry and support of other Government Institutions.

The exhibition will contain stalls with treatments on how to prevent or cure non-communicable diseases like diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and even cancer which are rapidly growing in Sri Lanka.

Ayurveda ExpoPatron Asoka Hettigodasaid that Sri Lanka was the first in the world to start an Ayurveda Expo and that he expected Ayurveda to be a prominent industry contributing to the country’s economy in the near future since natural medicaments are given an important position globally.

“Our main objectives are to showcase Ayurvedic products to the world, create local market synergy for Ayurveda medicine and also share knowledge by bringing the best international doctors together with their Sri Lankan counterparts,” stated Hettigoda.

Doctors from India, Bangladesh, China, Japan, and South Africa with expertise on indigenous medicine will be at hand during the Expo to guide and enlighten people on the value of the indigenous medicine.

Herbal product manufacturers, buyers and sellers of Ayurveda medical products, beauty culture agents, beauty care products manufacturers , health resorts and spas, Ayurvedic hospitals, clinics and all institutions related to the field from Sri Lanka and overseas countries will get an opportunity to participate at this exhibition and display their products and services to a large gathering of visitors.

The exhibition will also create a platform for local and overseas organisations engaged in the indigenous healthcare systems to meet and establish links with each other.

Emphasis will be given to attract foreign delegations with a view to promoting Sri Lankan Ayurveda sector and health resorts as a tourist attraction.

“This exhibition is not only to exhibit your products but it is also educational. It brings together and shares the knowledge of both Ayurvedic and Western medical practices. We will discuss the new developments of the medical industry,” National Chamber of Commerce PresidentSujeeve Samaraweera said.

Parallel to the exhibition, a Medical Symposium with a series of sessions on special topics related to medicine and traditional medicine addressed by doctors will be held at BMICH.

The National Chamber of Commerce initiated these exhibitions in 2007 to promote the indigenous medication sector in Sri Lanka through nature friendly practices and popularise Sri Lankan Ayurveda among the local and international public.