News
Cancer drug stores, a worse menace than cancer
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).
News
China donates 05 dragon boats to Sri Lanka (Pics)
The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has donated five 12-person international-standard dragon boats to the Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The donation was formally made on May 31 at the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival China-Sri Lanka Friendship Cup Dragon Boat Championship.
The championship was held at the Diyawanna Oya Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL) Rowing Center. Participants included school teams, university crews, clubs, members of the tri-forces, as well as Chinese teams. It was notable that the event also featured 05 teams from Jaffna.
The regatta was hosted by Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Sri Lanka, and co-organized by National Association for Canoeing and Kayaking in Sri Lanka, CICT (Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd.), Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association and Chinese Chamber Of Commerce In Sri Lanka.
Expressing gratitude for the donation, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – S.K. Gamage said, “This is not merely a sports event, it is a powerful symbol of friendship, culture, and cooperation between our two nations.”
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong said the championship was “a new starting point to further deepen sports and cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka and to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples.”
Rear Admiral HNS Perera, President of the National Association for Canoeing and Kayaking in Sri Lanka, described the event as a bridge between tradition and modernity.
Sri Lanka Navy and Visakha Vidyalaya powered their way to victory by clinching the top honours in the Men’s and Women’s Open Championships. Visakha Vidyalaya also grabbed the top spot in the Junior Girls’ final.
The Junior Boys’ final saw Thambaddy GTMV from Jaffna winning the gold medal, ahead of J/Delft M.V and D.S. Senanayake College Colombo.
In the Masters Women’s race, Ceylong team took top spot, while Wave Breakers and Pink Dragon followed closely.
The University of Sabaragamuwa won the Mixed Category final, pushing Chinese Team 03 and Chinese Team 01 to second and third places.
(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)
BIZ
No change in domestic LP gas prices this month
News
NWSDB’s SMS portal hacked?
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board’s (NWSDB) SMS portal has reportedly been compromised.
Several users on social media have confirmed receiving messages from the official NWSDB SMS, stating: *“Your Waterboard account has been hacked by Alpha Team… Your data can recover if we got 1.5 BTC.”
The message also included a Bitcoin wallet address for the ransom payment raising concerns.
It remains unclear as to what specific data has been accessed or leaked. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement in this regard
