The herbal syrup prepared by indigenous medical practitioner Dhammika Bandara from Kegalle to treat COVID-19 has received ethical clearance.
The Ministry of Indigenous Medicine said the Ethical Committee of the Rajarata University has approved the herbal syrup.
The concoction had initially received approval from the Pharmacology unit of the Ayurveda Department.
It was approved as herbal food, following which Bandara had commenced the distribution of the syrup to the public.
Thousands had gathered on two separate days, including on Christmas day violating quarantine measures in order to obtain the syrup.
The Rajarata University said measures will be taken to subject the syrup for necessary clinical trials.
Stating that instructions have been issued to include it in the list for clinical trials, the University added that the results can be expected within the next 2-3 weeks.
Earlier, the National Research Council of Sri Lanka revealed that Dhammika Bandara is yet to submit a proposal to the Council to conduct research on his alleged syrup that he claims has the capability of curing the coronavirus.
The Council said upon receiving such a proposal from Bandara, it will take necessary action to facilitate the trial in advisory and monetary capacity.
Meanwhile, the Government said it has not granted approval for the herbal syrup and it is yet to undergo necessary clinical tests with the involvement of Western doctors. (NewsWire)