• Thriposha Ltd. Co. using rice instead, Geetha urges Health Min. intervention   

The Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd. Co. has claimed facing difficulties in manufacturing Thriposha, a nutritional supplement given to children and pregnant and lactating females, owing to challenges in sourcing maize that contains less aflatoxins.

Speaking to the media on 25 June, Government Midwifery Service Association Chairperson Devika Kodituwakku emphasised that the supplying of Thriposha to children between six months to three years has been halted for a year. “Although health authorities have been informed about the issue, no response has been received so far. Thriposha must be provided to pregnant females, lactating mothers, and all children from six months to three years by the Government. Thriposha is an essential nutrient for children to gain intelligence. The Government is responsible for this issue,” she added.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd. Chairman Deepthi Kularathna told The Daily Morning yesterday (26) that they have the potential of producing 90,000 750 g Thriposha packets daily. “If there is only less than one part of aflatoxins per 10 million from a sample of maize, Thriposha for children under three years can be made. We attempted to produce Thriposha to the standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO). But, we are not able to find the required quality of maize in Sri Lankan markets. There is a situation where maize with fewer aflatoxins is difficult to find in order to produce Thriposha for children,” he said.

Moreover, he said that they have discussed this issue with the Ministry of Health and that the latter has appointed a committee to take measures to provide Thriposha in accordance with WHO specifications. “But, the Minister, the Ministry Secretary, and other officials are not as concerned about the matter. Therefore, we decided to make Thriposha from rice.”

Accordingly, he emphasised that farmers would be trained to cultivate maize that has fewer aflatoxins. 

When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday, Child and Women Affairs State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe also urged the Minister of Health to take prompt measures regarding the matter.

“Providing Thriposha for children is more essential than providing the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefit. The provision of Thriposha is an integral part of the Government’s health policy. Therefore, I urge the relevant authorities to get involved in order to overcome this issue,” she emphasised.