News

No approval for cannabis infused chocolates – State minister

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2023

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The Department of Ayurveda has not given its approval for cannabis-infused chocolates that have been released to the market in view of Valentine’s Day, Indigenous Medicine State Minister Sisira Jayakody said.

It is reported that this cannabis-mixed chocolate, produced by a company in Pothuhera, contains Ashwagandha, Welmee and Lunwila as well.

The State Minister told the media that the producer has not made any request from the Ayurveda Department seeking approval to release this type of chocolate to the market.

“This is a prohibited product under the Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and the use of cannabis in the country is allowed only for the preparation of medicines,” he said.

However, the Managing Director of the company that produced the chocolate, W.A. Dhananjaya Weerasuriya has said that a request has been made to the Department of Ayurveda to obtain approval for this product, and accordingly, approval has been given to release a limited portion to the market while it is still in the experimental stage.

He said that laboratory and clinical research has been completed and the third phase of the public research is being carried out. He also added that the entire stock of around 1,000 chocolates has been sold out.
(Source : Aruna)

News

This week’s Cabinet decisions

Published

25 mins ago

April 26, 2024

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A number of decisions have been taken at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (April 25).

The decisions taken by the Cabinet of Ministers are as follows :

CabinetDecision_E24_04_25 Download

News

Salley, leading figure behind Zahran – Fonseka (Video)

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Former Army commander Sarath Fonseka told Parliament today (April 26) that the person who had groomed the main Easter Sunday suicide bomber – Zahran Hashim, is the current head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) Maj Gen (Rtd.) Suresh Salley.

Although Salley is currently trying to wash his hands off the matter, he cannot escape this, MP Fonseka said.

‘When I was there, I had removed Salley from the SIS. But he was made SIS head by Gotabaya after my departure. Then, Boniface Perera, who was Salley’s right hand man, was made the Eastern Commander. If he starts to slander me again, I will release this file to social media, which will portray what kind of man he truly is. Such people were in contact with Zahran and made him a hero,’ he said.

MP Fonseka also said that Salley had recently said that he wasn’t in the country when the attacks took place. He cannot escape the responsibility by saying he wasn’t in the country, not with the present technology available, the MP added.

He has also said that the process of identifying and nabbing a terrorist cannot be done through commissions and committees and it is the officers Intelligence services and the CID who have the relevant capacity and experience in such matters.

MP Fonseka further said that strict punishments should be given to those who were responsible for the Easter Sunday bombings and who evaded responsibility.

If we secure power, I am confident that the perpetrators can be brought to justice within a year, he further said.

Today is the final day of the three-day adjournment debate on the 2019 Easter attacks.

(Video : VoiceTube)

BIZ

2 companies from Russia & India to take over MRIA management

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Accordingly, the Cabinet approval has been granted to hand over the management of MRIA to Shaurya Aeronautics Pvt. Ltd of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia or an affiliated company thereof for a period of 30 years.

Earlier during a Cabinet meeting held on Jan. 09, 2023, approval was granted to invite EOIs from interested parties for utilizing the facilities of the MRIA.

EOIs have been called, for which 05 institutions have submitted offers for the purpose.