Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who publicly consumed the miraculous local cure for COVID19 produced by Dhammika Bandara, now says he has taken "precautionary measures" after his driver was tested positive for the virus.

Bandara's "miraculous" cure was touted as a medicine giving lifetime immunity from COVID19. Despite the backing he received from the government, Bandara drew the ire of many after he behaved in an unruly manner in Anuradhapura — one of the most sacred religious sites for Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

Abeywardena and a number of members from the ruling party publicly consumed the medicine in the presence of Bandara within the parliamentary complex.

However, the Speaker has denied rumours that he has been placed under self-quarantine. Instead, Abeywardena says, he has taken "precautionary measures" and stayed at home over the past few days.

The Speakers also abstained himself from the party leaders meeting in Parliament today. It is still not clear whether he will attend the next parliamentary session.