Abstract:
Sri Lanka possess remarkably rich flora with approximately about 3,000 species of
vascular plants, over a quarter are endemic. The number of species
used in traditional medicine is estimated to be between 550 and 700. An inscription
discovered in King Nissankamalla's council chamber on the bound of Topawewa in
Polonnaruwa states that the King granted certain immunities to the land owner on
condition that, land owner pays yield interest to a hospital. The inscription states "The
same land shall be rented to yield interest and one Pala (of dried ginger) should be given
year after year as rent to the hospital founded by Dotivalakna. Should it not be possible
to give the dried ginger a huna of gold should be given’ Paranawithana 1934 - (Pala and
Huna were ancient units of measurements).
Ayurvedic medicinal system was originated in India and it is said to be well-established
in Sri Lanka by 500 BC. By the sixth century the Persians had settled in Sri Lanka in
considerable numbers. It was described in texts that Sri Lanka had contact with China
from third A. D. and China considered Sri Lanka as an important enterport centre where
trans-shipment of various goods from east and the west took place. One of the Chinese
text Tai Ping Yu Lan written by Yang tzu in the third century A. D. contains a briefing
that "Shihtze (Sri Lanka) country produces Cinnabar, Mercury, Hsun-lun, Turmeric,
Slorax, Eostus and perfumes". Different Sinhalese kings were also shown an interest
towards establishing direct trade relations with outside world in medieval times. In the
twelfth century the country’s international trade share, increased and king
Parakramabahu I, even set up a department called ‘Antarangadhara’(The Department of
Trade in the ancient period) in order to organize trade. Spices was one of the major
requirement in Ayurveda and included almost all the herbs with 17 and 18 century
observed Sri Lanka's position in the contemporary market, especially in the international
trade of spices. These significant changes occurred largely due to policies of two
European nations that captured Ceylon, was Portuguese. After realizing value of Ceylon
as a trading point and the available resources they declared cinnamon as a
monopoly in 1614. Unfortunately this policy was not correlatively followed and
administered as certain Portuguese officials were engaged in this trade. It was said that
1500 Bahars (9380) valued cinnamon had been exported in 1630 per annum.
