MASSES GATHER TO OBTAIN ANTI-COVID-19 TONIC FROM DAMMIKA

COLOMBO (News1st): Crowds flocked to the residence of indigenous medical practitioner Dhammika Bandara in Kegalle defying quarantine laws on Friday seeking a tonic claimed to be a cure for COVID-19. But the herbal potion developed by Bandara had not been distributed among people queued up opposite his residence for several kilometres as early as 4 am. The tonic, yet to be approved as a COVID-19 cure by the Ayurveda department overlooking indigenous products, has drawn mixed reactions from various circles including medical groups. "We only have faith in a vaccine," Haritha Aluthge, the editor of the Government Medical Officers Association told media. The Public Service United Nurses Union also raised concerns on the validity of the tonics that are being developed in several parts of the country claiming to be successful in curing the virus. "I request the validity of the tonic to be confirmed after testing it on COVID-19 patients," union president Ven. Muruttettuwe Ananda Thero said. On December 23, the Ayurveda department had granted the indigenous medical practitioner a licence to manufacture Ayurveda products. Ayurveda Commissioner Chatura Kumaratunga told News1st that the tonic has not been recognized as a medication for COVID-19 and that it has only been approved as a syrup. But state minister of indigenous medicine promotion Sisira Jayakody denied any knowledge on the approval granted to Dhammika Bandara. While opposition has been growing against the tonic - that has been consumed by the health minister and some government lawmakers - certain groups believe it to be a successful cure for COVID-19. "He (Dhammika) has been deprived of credit for developing a cure for COVID-19," Pandukabhaya Rajakaruna, a member of the Warakapola Pradeshiya Sabha told reporters. Sarath Sumanasuriya, the pradeshiya sabha chairman, also pointed out that individuals who had consumed the syrup have not displayed allergies so far.