A capsule by the name ‘α-Elostera’ marketed by Ceylon Green Ayurveda Company as a solution for cancer has sparked much controversy.
The capsule has been released to the market without formal clinical trials and had already been advertised as a cancer treatment ayurvedic capsule.
Noting that a team including Prof. Jayantha Rajapaksa and Professor Anura Jayasuriya of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Peradeniya University have discovered anticancer activity of bitter gourd seeds, the manufacturers have launched the α-Elostera capsules.
Also, touting the pill as an ayurvedic treatment has also been debated since the relevant research leans towards Western Medicine practices.
Also, we learnt that Prof. Jayasuriya who had done the extensive research in this regard, had not contributed to the manufacturing of these capsules.
It is reported that the capsules in question were first manufactured by Prof. Rajapaksa and Dakshitha Thilanga Sumathipala – a businessman with no knowledge of medicine.
The Ceylon Green Cancer Wellness Center located near the Apeksha Hospital, which is also operated by Dakshitha, has been selling 60 capsules at Rs. 30,0000.
According to the company, this is the monthly required amount for a patient.
Speaking, an employee of his Centre had spoke of the capsule as follows :
Jayantha and Dakshitha go separate ways
Meanwhile, we were able to reveal that Professor Rajapaksa and Dakshitha are currently operating businesses separately owing to a business-related dispute.
While the capsules are being sold at Dakshitha’s Wellness Centre for Rs.30,000, Professor Rajapaksa sells them for Rs.7,000 as a food supplement.
Although the manufacturers have spread the myth that the body directly absorbs fatty acid from bitter gourd seeds, Prof. Jayasuriya said that it was false.
He said that this fatty acid breaks down into other components in the small intestine and kidneys.
When we inquired about this from Professor Jayasuriya, this is what he had to say.
Based on the facts revealed by the professor, a businessman manufacturing capsules based on the tests done at the Peradeniya University without the approval of the university, has become an issue.
In the meantime, we will publish inquiries and findings in this regard, done with several responsible institutions including the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).
Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.
The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.
In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.
The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am – 4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).
The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.
Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.
On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.
The Commercial High Court has issued an interim injunction order, preventing popular artistes Romaine Willis and Mass Ramli Miskin (DJ Mass) from performing, reproducing and distributing the song ‘Eh Yaye’.
Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Priyantha Fernando issued the order after the Plaint filed under the Intellectual Property Act by popular singer Corrine Almeida.
The case also alleges that the musical composition and the lyrics of the song ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the song ‘Api Natamu’.
Naming Willis and DJ Mass as defendants, the plaintiff Corrine Almeida had also stated that she is the owner of the copyright and economic rights to the musical composition and lyrics of her song titled “Api Natamu”.
The plaintiff instituted action in terms of the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003 alleging that the musical composition and the lyrics of ‘Eh Yaye’ were substantially similar to the ‘Api Natamu’ song.