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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.
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Public will not be served as Computer system failure at Department of Registration of Persons
The Acting Commissioner General of Registration of Persons has announced that due to an unexpected failure of the computer system of the Department of Registration of Persons, all services, including the one day service will not be held on Tuesday (24th March) at the Head Office and all Provincial offices.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 22 March 2026, valid for 23 March 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
The latest fuel price increases have sparked widespread concern among transport operators and raised questions about the government’s supportive measures. Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr Nalinda Jayathissa told a media briefing yesterday that the government was incurring a monthly loss of Rs. 20 billion by maintaining subsidies on fuel. According to the Minister, the state loses Rs. 100 per litre of diesel and Rs. 20 per litre of petrol under the current pricing system, a burden that the Treasury continues to absorb as part of a “supportive mechanism.”
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) revised fuel prices from midnight on March 21, raising the price of a litre of Lanka Auto Diesel by Rs. 79 to Rs. 382, Super Diesel by Rs. 90 to Rs. 443, Octane 95 petrol by Rs. 90 to Rs. 455, and Octane 92 petrol by Rs. 81 to Rs. 398. Lanka Kerosene was increased by Rs. 60,bringing the price to Rs. 255 per litre. Other suppliers, including Sinopec and Lanka IOC, also implemented similar hikes, with Sinopec’s Super Diesel rising sharply by Rs. 219 to Rs. 572 per litre.
The surge in fuel prices has had an immediate impact on public transport. The Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association, Gamunu Wijerathne, told The Island that 90% of private buses were off the road yesterday (22). He called for a 15% increase in bus fares, raising the minimum fare from Rs. 27 to Rs. 35, warning that services could be suspended if fare adjustments are not approved.
Three-wheeler operators have also pressed for immediate fare revisions. L. Rohana Perera, General Secretary of the National Joint Three-Wheeler and Industrialists’ Association, said the rising fuel costs have made it difficult for drivers to continue operating. The Association has proposed a Rs. 20 increase for the first kilometre fare for all meter-operated three-wheelers and plans to present its concerns to the Presidential Secretariat.
Fuel price monitoring has also intensified amid concerns over potential smuggling. A senior police officer told The Island that intelligence units have been deployed near fuel stations to prevent hoarding. The police suspect that certain fuel station employees and owners could be facilitating stockpiling.
Political leaders have warned that the hikes will ripple across the economy. SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said transport cost increases will drive up the prices of essential goods such as rice and fish, leaving consumers struggling under rising costs.
Import and export container transportation charges will be increased by 20% from midnight yesterday (22) due to the recent fuel price hike, according to the Container Transport Vehicle Owners’ Association.
The latest increases follow two rounds of price hikes since March 9, driven by surging global oil prices amid the Middle East conflict. Since then, Lanka Petrol 92 Octane has risen by Rs. 105 to Rs. 398, Petrol 95 Octane by Rs. 115 to Rs. 455, Auto Diesel by Rs. 101 to Rs. 382, and Super Diesel by Rs. 114 to Rs. 443 representing an overall increase of around 35% across key fuel categories.
by Norman Palihawadane and Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts
Showers may occur at several places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 pm.
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