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Health benefits of green tea could be boosted by consuming it with gotu kola
A study conducted by Dr Sameera Samarakoon of the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, with renowned Food Scientist Dr. D. B. T. Wijeratne, has found that consuming green tea with gotu kola (Centella asiatica) as a mix could produce many health benefits. Gotu kola enhances the antioxidant, antiviral and immune-boosting properties of green tea.
Pegged as the herb of longevity, gotu kola is a staple in traditional Asian medicinal practices and green tea is one of the most popular health beverages around the world. Health benefits of green tea are well known and it is commonly consumed by many people owing to its antioxidant properties, reduction of obesity, prevention of cancer, reduction of blood pressure, etc. Similarly, in ancient medicinal practices in India, Japan, China, Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the South Pacific, the health benefits of gotu kola is well known. Modern laboratory tests have confirmed that the gotu kola has antioxidant properties, beneficial effects to the liver, skin protection and improving cognitive function and memory power. All health benefits of both could be obtained when consuming a mixture of green tea and gotu kola, Dr Samarakoon said.
He said that gotu kola should not exceed more than 20 percent of the mixture due to reduction in acceptability as a beverage.
He said that green tea and gotu kola could be recommended as herbal beverages.
Dr Wjieratne said that previous studies had confirmed that consumption of gotu kola had a positive effect on improving liver health especially with regard to the most common type of primary liver cancer, Hepatocellular carcinoma, fatty liver and liver cirrhosis. Recent research has also pointed out that gotu kola could help reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases including stroke, myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. Pharmacological studies have reported that the gotu kola extract can regulate the central nervous system activity and enhance cognitive function in the brain.
Dr Wijeratne pointed out that the health benefits of green tea have been well known around the world. Compared to gotu kola there was more scientific research with regard to green tea’s health benefits. Green tea is rich in catechin, polyphenols, particularly Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The EGCG is a powerful antioxidant which kills cancer cells without harming the normal cells. This compound is also effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots and reduction of platelet aggregation. In addition, it has been found that green tea extract is a promising source of natural antioxidants that has been effectively utilized to enhance the antioxidant properties, Dr Wijeratne said.
He said that obesity had been identified as the major cause of a number of diseases, including coronary heart diseases, hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes, pulmonary dysfunction, osteoarthritis and certain types of cancer. Tea catechin, especially EGCG, appears to have an anti-obesity and diabetes effect. Green tea was also seen as a natural herb that can enhance energy expenditure and fat oxidation and thereby induce weight loss, Dr Wijeratne said, adding that consumption of a combination of two herbals could provide plentiful health benefits.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
