Large crowds gather defying health guidelines to obtain ‘Dhammika Peniya’

Hundreds of people gathered yesterday outside the Kegalle residence of Dhammika Bandara, the producer of Dhammika peniya which is being touted as a cure for COVID-19, to obtain the syrup.

The crowds gathered despite warnings by health authorities to reduce travel and not to gather in large numbers.

A few days earlier co-cabinet spokesperson Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that the Pharmacology Section of the Ayurvedic Department had approved the untested, homemade herbal brew widely called ‘Dhammika peniya’, which is yet to receive clearance from ‘Ethical Committee’ of the Ayurvedic Department without being subjected to a proper scientific study.

Twenty two ‘cures’ for COVID-19 had so far been introduced by practitioners of alternative medicine in Sri Lanka since the beginning of the pandemic and they were promoted by both the media and the Ministry of Health, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science, Ravi Kumudesh told The Island yesterday. “These practitioners of alternative medicine pop up periodically and they have been given unnecessary publicity. The Health Ministry has encouraged these people and this has confused people.”

Kumudesh said: “A number of ministers have been appointed to deal with various parts of the health sector and these ministers express contradictory opinions. “One says indigenous medicine are best while another says that western medicine is best. We need the people to have a proper mindset to control COVID-19 and this is what China and other East Asian nations did so well. We have confused people and they are now clutching at straws.”

State Minister of Promotion of Indigenous Medicine, Development of Rural Ayurvedic Hospitals and Community Health Sisira Jayakody promoted the syrup while State Health Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle repeatedly declared that it was not acceptable till it received proper approval following required tests.