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Native medicine and its place today

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By Dr. Sarath Gamini De Silva

Much discussion and controversies have arisen today as the world is trying to find a remedy for the pandemic ravaging mankind. As allopathic (Western) medicine found no acceptable cure for the illness so far, vaccines are being introduced at a rapid pace seeming to be effective in preventing the disease. Due to the desperate situation, time taken for developing such vaccines and their use in human beings has been shortened to a fraction of what we have known hitherto. Thus, long term harmful effects, though we are reassured to be minimal, are yet to be seen. With new more virulent strains of the virus already appearing in the UK, how effective the vaccines would be in the long term is anybody’s guess.

To fill the gap in the availability of scientifically verified treatment, many Ayurvedic or native medicines (also called traditional or alternative medicines) have come to the fore. Almost every week a person with questionable credentials comes up with a decoction claiming to be based on an ancient formula brought down the generations secretly in ola manuscripts. They are appealing to the patriotic sentiments of the people expecting them to accept these out of respect for tradition. Sudarshani paanaya, Dhammika peniya are among the foremost. The claims of their origins from divine sources or being brought down from the Himalayas have added to the mystique. As a more recent example we remember how the leaves and the latex of Papaya were promoted for treating dengue fever, later found to be of no use.

In my childhood, I swallowed gallons of kottamalli with or without ginger and katuwelbatu as a remedy for fevers, common colds and the likes. Venivelgeta was added to prevent tetanus after an injury. During school holidays we were given aralu to “cleanse” the bowels to survive the next school term! Epsom salt (savinda lunu) was added to make the induced diarrhoea more profuse and hence to make the treatment more effective. Later on, I spared my own children the agony of going through that treatment. We have heard about various treatments given to prevent rabies after a dog bite, the success proven if the victim did not get the fatal illness after eating pork. Similarly, deaths after snake bites were supposed to be prevented by various forms of native treatment.

There is a scientific explanation for many of these so-called successes. With a very few exceptions most viral infections are self-limiting. A “drug’ given during the illness, whether allopathic or traditional, makes the patient feel comfortable, but the duration of the illness itself is not generally shortened nor complications made less likely. As for tetanus, a majority of wounds will not anyway lead to serious infection. Most snake bites are harmless needing no treatment; so are dog bites. These are a few examples where no one can claim success for their medication as the patients would have recovered anyway without any intervention. There are risks when people overlook well proven vaccines for the prevention of rabies, tetanus and other illnesses or antitoxins for snake bites and resort to traditional medicine.

Almost all the medications used by native physicians are of natural origin. Roots, yams, barks and leaves are the sources. Unfortunately, with the advance of scientific method little or no attempt has been made to isolate the effective chemical compounds in them. Hence in decoctions like kasayas, multiple plant derivatives have to be boiled together in a cumbersome procedure producing a bitter unpalatable drink. Fortunately, some preparations like paspanguwa, peyawa and samahan are available in sachets, which we still take for symptomatic relief showing our faith in native medication. Likewise, some Western medicines are of plant origin where the active ingredient has been isolated and produced in a palatable tablet form. Some original plant compounds are now manufactured in laboratories to increase the volume of production.

It was identified many years ago that some commonly available plants had blood sugar lowering properties. They are recommended by some for use by the diabetic patients. However, one is not aware of any attempts to isolate the active compounds and make them commercially available. It is the duty of governments, and the ministry in charge of traditional medicine, to facilitate and encourage research into finding active ingredients in traditional medicine.

The situation is even worse when non communicable diseases (NCDs) are considered. Illnesses like heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes or arthritis are cases in point. We are still unraveling the exact causation of these illnesses. In such diseases, giving immediate symptomatic relief and the prevention of well-known debilitating or life-threatening long term complications are mandatory. The allopathic drugs have been tested and tried over a long period of time in scientific analysis and well controlled clinical trials to prove that they are effective in treating the illnesses as well as having minimal side effects. Many chemicals, molecules and compounds which started off in laboratories with this process had to be abandoned due to such undesirable effects or lack of effectiveness. Whether any traditional medicine has been subjected to such intensive study is not known. It should be stressed that no “trial and error” method is acceptable when dealing with human life!

There are many anecdotal stories of malignant disease being cured by native medicine. In almost all these instances people have resorted to alternative medicine when allopathic treatment has failed to prevent the progress of the disease. In these instances, after some period of apparent improvement, the disease inexorably gets worse. Even without any treatment, many chronic illnesses are known to subside spontaneously. Alterations in the immunity of the individual may be a factor. Whether any form of treatment can claim credit for such “cures” is questionable. It has become the vogue to undertake extreme dietary changes and other forms of life style modification to alter the course of chronic diseases including malignancies.

People had total faith in native medicine and occult sciences in the olden days as there was no alternative remedy available. Stories about the times of King Ravana and the physician king Buddhadasa are legendary and would have played an important role at that time. But when more established scientifically proven allopathic medicine is available for many illnesses, quoting ancient unverified stories will not help. No one will ever think of going back to horse-drawn carriages because the fuel powered cars cause environmental pollution!

The merits of native medicine are further diminished by their “adulteration” with allopathic drugs alleged to be practiced by native physicians. It is widely suspected that syrups, gulis, etc., actually contain allopathic drugs powdered and reconstituted. Many Ayurveda and related study courses now include some teaching in allopathic medicine and pharmacology. Some traditional physicians prescribe antibiotics and pain killers to gullible public who are naïve enough to believe that they are trained in both systems of medicine! It is well known that a large number of native physicians take allopathic medicine for their own illnesses like hypertension and diabetes. How some such physicians publicly advise against the use of drugs for diabetes like insulin and metformin is deplorable. Over the years these drugs have been proven without doubt to improve the disease and prevent long term complications.

Many herbal products imported mostly from Asian countries currently do not require registration by the drug regulatory authorities. These are costly and are often of no proven benefit. They are commonly prescribed even by doctors registered in allopathic medicine. They should be brought under regulatory control without further delay.

The media play a big role in promoting unproven medications, both traditional and allopathic, spreading harmful misinformation. Politicians seem to take refuge in them when their action or inaction disappoint the public who are looking up to them to control the current pandemic. It is deplorable how they mislead the people by openly ingesting such decoctions. Obviously, they will not be held accountable if unforeseen toxic effects occur in those who swallow it. Those responsible have put the cart before the horse, by asking the experts to decide on the issue after they have already appeared to openly recommend the decoction to the people. The short term substantial financial benefits to those who peddle unproven medications is an incentive to continue hoodwinking the gullible public. The risk of such falsely reassured people ignoring effective public health guidance is worrying.

While showing scenes where alcohol is consumed or there is tobacco smoking, the television screens show a legend to say that these habits are harmful to health. Likewise, it should be mandatory that when questionable medication is shown or advertised, a legend to say that these claims are unproven could rectify the issue to some extent. Ideally, electronic media and other news organisations should have their own advisors on health matters, who can clarify issues before giving publicity to such products. This is especially so at a time when health programs are said to be very popular among viewers

This article is written in good faith to overcome the epidemic of misinformation which is as harmful as the pandemic itself. Coming from a physician trained in allopathic medicine who has much faith in the symptomatic relief given by them, it is not intended to discredit the native forms of treatment or their practitioners. Over thousands of years native medicines were the only form of treatment available to help the people survive illness. More properly conducted research is the urgent need to make the system relevant to today’s needs. However, being ignorant enough to get stuck in history and tradition would ensure that the nation will continue to stagnate without progress. Issues have been logically discussed in the hope that people will be informed enough to see things as they are.



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The iconic Roger Federer: The Full Measure of a GOAT

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Roger Federer

There is an unending debate about the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) of the global sport of tennis. The debate is on, as to which one is the GOAT of the players of the “Big Three” era. Those three are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. All three were very prominent figures in that period. Their intense rivalries pushed the sport to new heights and captivated millions of people in a global audience, thereby significantly increasing tennis’s popularity. However, of the three, Roger Federer was a rather central figure.

Federer’s list of tennis accolades is staggering, and his greatness is often reduced to headlines and statistics: 20 Grand Slam titles, including a record eight Wimbledon singles crowns, 103 Association of Tennis Professionals Tour Singles titles, and 237 consecutive weeks atop the world rankings. He is well-known for his fabulous all-court game, and he is one of only four players to have won a career Grand Slam on three different surfaces: hard, grass, and clay.

His career is marked by remarkable consistency, including reaching 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals and 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. Federer’s game was often described as graceful, effortless, and artistic. His fluid movement, powerful forehand, and elegant one-handed backhand made him a joy to watch for fans worldwide. He redefined modern tennis with his blend of power and finesse. Yet for all that, beneath the elegance of his backhand and the sheen of trophies lies a deeper heritage; one that elevates him from tennis legend to a true Great Of All Time.

Federer views these achievements as milestones, not the destination. He has always emphasised relationships, gratitude, and giving back, values instilled by his South African mother, Lynette, and nurtured over a lifetime of turning success into service. His effortless finesse and mental fortitude created ballet on grass and clay; moments etched forever in sporting memory. But narrowing Federer’s story to courts and scores does him a disservice.

Federer’s South African heritage cultivated a profound connection to the continent. He holds dual Swiss and South African citizenship and has frequently returned to support earlychildhood education via the Roger Federer Foundation, impacting over two million children across Southern Africa. More than just funding, Federer has rolled up his sleeves, visiting rural schools, launching coaching clinics, and advocating for play-based learning. Philanthropy is woven into Federer’s identity just as deeply as tennis. As he once said, “greatness is not confined to silverware; it lives through the lives we touch“.

Among his lesser-known acts of compassion is one of the most profound. It was in 2005 when Federer was fast turning into a tennis sensation, that he found twin infant girls abandoned outside a health clinic during a charity trip to a remote village in South Africa. The man did not walk away. Moved by their vulnerability, he quietly ensured their care and education, funding their essentials through a foundation partner. He did this without fanfare or media attention, and no publicity followed.

Fast forward to July 11, 2025. At a gala event in Geneva celebrating Federer’s stellar career, two young women took to the stage. It was the same pair of South African twins, now in their early 20s, returning to honour the man who saved them.

Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic

The sisters spoke with composed gratitude: “We do not remember being abandoned as infants. But we remember being saved. And the man who saved us is sitting right here tonight.”

Then came their own act of generosity. They said, launching a scholarship fund under Roger Federer’s name, to support rural children, “It is dedicated to helping underprivileged children in rural areas gain access to sports and education, the very things Roger had given us. It is our turn to give back, just as Roger gave to us, without expecting anything in return.” A visibly emotional Federer was left speechless before he gathered himself and said in a shaky voice, “I thought I was just helping two lives.

I had no idea they would come back and inspire the world.” That moment, a twin act of kindness born and returned, was described as “grander than all the 20 Grand Slam titles… one of the most powerful moments in tennis history“. That evening rippled globally, it flew virally across social media, confirming that character can outrank championship counts.

Off the court, Federer’s family life is rich and intentional. Married since 2009 to former player Mirka Vavrinec, they have four children: twin daughters Myla Rose and Charlene Riva (born in 2009) and twin sons Leo and Lenny (born in 2014). Their household, brimming with two sets of twins, reflects unity, resilience, and love, values the Father and Mother Federer’s cherish.

If tennis is art, then Federer’s philanthropy is impact. His “Match for Africa” series: exhibition matches featuring Nadal, Murray, and Gates, has generated over 12 million US dollars to support education in Africa. Beyond big events, his foundation has supported earlychildhood programmes in six countries, deployed digital teaching tools and training tablets for educators, and engaged communities and governments to bolster preschool readiness. These are not just token gestures; they are sustained efforts that aim to change systems, not just headlines. He privately supports coaching and education in African villages: a lyrical service that mirrors his gameplay: smooth, reliable, and deeply invested.

In his understated way, Federer has consistently reinforced kindness and integrity. He funds an elderly couple every Australian Open; the parents of his first coach, late Peter Carter, covering flights, hospitality, and box seats, every year, since 2005. Federer has never forgotten the Carter family’s role in his life and career.

These gestures resonate because they are personal, respectful, and ongoing. They speak of a man who remembers where he came from, on and off the court, and who sees grand gestures in the small, consistent acts of humanity.

When discussing Federer as the GOAT, numbers will take you so far. But greatness also measures intangible things: compassion, humility, and legacy. What Federer did for those abandoned twins, and how they returned that grace, reveals more about his character than any gold trophy could. It is easy to point to “trophies won” as the final verdict. But Federer’s life story adds nuance: identity, empathy, and generosity, which truly elevate his accomplishments to a celestial level. His Wimbledon stamps, Swiss coins, and honorary degrees are symbols. The real trophy is the networks of lives he has touched: the rescued twins, African children on new educational pathways, and the families of those who supported him along the way.

Roger Federer’s journey from a junior champion to a record-breaking legend serves as a benchmark for aspiring tennis players and inspires millions around the world to aim for greatness while remaining grounded. In essence, his legacy celebrates not just a phenomenal tennis player but a true sporting icon who left an indelible mark on the game through his achievements, style, character, and humanitarian efforts.

In the court of moral measure, Federer is undisputed. His twin daughters and twin sons will grow up knowing that their father is more than a record-holder. He is a man defined by action. The twins in South Africa, now embroidering his legacy with their own generosity, complete a cycle: champions saved, and champions paid forward.

Yes, Roger Federer is the tennis GOAT. But he’s also the GOAT of genuine kindness, empathy, and impact. That, ultimately, is why the story of greatness cannot, and should not, be limited to statistics alone.

Role models are remembered, not just for what they win… but for the gratitude they inspire, the opportunities they create, and the kindness they live out.

The story of the South African abandoned twins was garnered from the News Arena Network – Geneva through News Arena India on 14th July 2025.

by Dr B. J. C. Perera ✍️
(Tennis Player)

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A book on iconic Sri Lankan poems

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Lakdasa Wikkramasinha

(1941-1978) has been acknowledged as one of the finest Sri Lankan poets writing in English. The Sri Lankan born Booker Prize winner Michael Ondaatje says Wikkramasinha has written “some of the most permanent and iconic poems of this country”.

In a period spanning only thirteen years before his untimely death, Wikkramasinha published six collections of his English poems (and two collections of Sinhala poems as well).

Rage and Heartbreak fulfills the pressing need for a collection of critical writings on Wikkramasinha’s poetry. Essays authored by Gamini Haththotuwegama, Lilani Jayatilaka, Annemari de Silva, Nihal Fernando, Vihanga Perera, Madri Kalugala, Chandana Dissanayake, Nipuni Ranaweera, and George Braine are followed by Indrakanthi Perera’s brief memorial.

Most authors are practicing or retired academics, mainly in English literature. Some are published poets.

Rage and Heartbreak is published by Tambapanni Academic Press and priced at Rs. 3000/.

Vihanga Perera (Ph.D., Australian National University) is an academic and researcher working at the Department of English, University of Sri Jayawardenapura. He is also a poet and novelist, an arts critic, and editor of creative work. He is a recipient of the Gratiaen Prize and the State Literary Award.

George Braine (Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin) taught English in four countries before retiring from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He was acquainted with Lakdasa Wikkramasinha in the 1970s.

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Babies made using three people’s DNA are born free of hereditary disease

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Eight babies have been born in the UK using genetic material from three people to prevent devastating and often fatal conditions, doctors say.

The method, pioneered by UK scientists, combines the egg and sperm from a mum and dad with a second egg from a donor woman.

The technique has been legal here for a decade but we now have the first proof it is leading to children born free of incurable mitochondrial disease.

These conditions are normally passed from mother to child, starving the body of energy.

This can cause severe disability and some babies die within days of being born. Couples know they are at risk if previous children, family members or the mother has been affected.

Children born through the three-person technique inherit most of their DNA, their genetic blueprint, from their parents, but also get a tiny amount, about 0.1%, from the second woman. This is a change that is passed down the generations.

None of the families who have been through the process are speaking publicly to protect their privacy, but have issued anonymous statements through the Newcastle Fertility Centre where the procedures took place.

“After years of uncertainty this treatment gave us hope – and then it gave us our baby,” said the mother of a baby girl. “We look at them now, full of life and possibility, and we’re overwhelmed with gratitude.”

The mother of a baby boy added: “Thanks to this incredible advancement and the support we received, our little family is complete.  “The emotional burden of mitochondrial disease has been lifted, and in its place is hope, joy, and deep gratitude.”

Mitochondria are tiny structures inside nearly every one of our cells. They are the reason we breathe as they use oxygen to convert food into the form of energy our bodies use as fuel.

Defective mitochondria can leave the body with insufficient energy to keep the heart beating as well as causing brain damage, seizures, blindness, muscle weakness and organ failure.

About one in 5,000 babies are born with mitochondrial disease. The team in Newcastle anticipate there is demand for 20 to 30 babies born through the three-person method each year.

Some parents have faced the agony of having multiple children die from these diseases.

Mitochondria are passed down only from mother to child. So this pioneering fertility technique uses both parents and a woman who donates her healthy mitochondria.

The science was developed more than a decade ago at Newcastle University and the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and a specialist service opened within the NHS in 2017.

Graphic showing a red circular representation of an embryo with unhealthy, oval, mitochondria inside that has the nuclear material - a joined pair of circles - removed. The next step is blue representing a healthy donor with healthy mitochondria and their nuclear material is also removed. Step three shows the nuclear material removed in step 1 being placed inside the healthy embryo

There was a case of epilepsy, which cleared up by itself and one child has an abnormal heart rhythm which is being successfully treated.

These are not thought to be connected to defective mitochondria. It is not known whether this is part of the known risks of IVF, something specific to the three-person method or something that has been detected only because the health of all babies born through this technique is monitored intensely.

Another key question hanging over the approach has been whether defective mitochondria would be transferred into the healthy embryo and what the consequences could be.

The results show that in five cases the diseased mitochondria were undetectable. In the other three, between 5% and 20% of mitochondria were defective in blood and urine samples.

This is below the 80% level thought to cause disease. It will take further work to understand why this occurred and if it can be prevented.

Getty Images An orange sausage shaped blob on a blue grainy background
A picture of a mitochondrion taken with a microscope – there are up to half a million in a fertilised egg. [BBC]

Prof Mary Herbert, from Newcastle University and Monash University, said: “The findings give grounds for optimism. However, research to better understand the limitations of mitochondrial donation technologies, will be essential to further improve treatment outcomes.”

The breakthrough gives hope to the Kitto family.

Kat’s youngest daughter Poppy, 14, has the disease. Her eldest Lily, 16, may pass it onto her children.

Poppy is in a wheelchair, is non-verbal and is fed through a tube.

“It’s impacted a huge part of her life,” says Kat, “we have a lovely time as she is, but there are the moments where you realize how devastating mitochondrial disease is”.

BBC/Josh Elgin Kat Kitto, sitting on a grey corner sofa wearing a black vest top, with her daughter Lily who is wearing white. Kat is feeding Monty, a ginger coloured long-haired dog, who is sitting on Lily's legs
Kat Kitto (R) in black top with her daughter Lily and Monty the dog [BBC]

Despite decades of work there is still no cure for mitochondrial disease, but the chance to prevent it being passed on gives hope to Lily.

“It’s the future generations like myself, or my children, or my cousins, who can have that outlook of a normal life,” she says.

The UK not only developed the science of three-person babies, but it also became the first country in the world to introduce laws to allow their creation after a vote in Parliament in 2015.

There was controversy as mitochondria have DNA of their own, which controls how they function.

It means the children have inherited DNA from their parents and around 0.1% from the donor woman.

Any girls born through this technique would pass this onto their own children, so it is a permanent alteration of human genetic inheritance.

This was a step too far for some when the technology was debated, raising fears it would open the doors to genetically-modified “designer” babies.

Prof Sir Doug Turnbull, from Newcastle University, told me: “I think this is the only place in the world this could have happened, there’s been first class science to get us to where we are, there been legislation to allow it to move into clinical treatment, the NHS to help support it and now we’ve got eight children that seem to free of mitochondrial disease, what a wonderful result.”

Liz Curtis, the founder of the Lily Foundation charity said: “After years of waiting, we now know that eight babies have been born using this technique, all showing no signs of mito.

“For many affected families, it’s the first real hope of breaking the cycle of this inherited condition.”

[BBC]

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