copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Sri Lanka Has the Largest Number of Ministers and Highest Taxes (Social Media Users, 2024-09-10)
Evidence (2024-09-17): Given the extent of the economic debacle, some degree of belt tightening was inevitable. But many Sri Lankans consider the government’s new policies to be unfair in the way they have been targeted. Fiscal reforms such as tax increases and higher utility prices have been shouldered by poor and middle-income Sri Lankans, while economic and political elites, including those who designed and benefited from the policies that led to the crisis, have been left largely unscathed. Key decisions have been made by a government including senior ministers who approved the policies that precipitated the crisis and relying on the same parliamentary majority that backed it then. The lack of action against the alleged corruption of the Rajapaksa family and its cronies, as well as some in Wickremesinghe’s United National Party, has fuelled public perceptions of injustice. [...] The Wickremesinghe government’s initial policy changes – budget cuts and higher taxes, higher energy costs and interest rates – were bound to be unpopular, imposing adjustments before people could see any benefit of renewed economic growth. But while some pain was inevitable even before the government turned to the IMF, the choices the government made about how to meet the Fund’s fiscal and other targets have stirred widespread discontent. Many Sri Lankans perceive that the burden of higher taxes and higher energy costs has fallen disproportionately on those in the low- and middle-income brackets, a large number of whom were already reeling from the economic effects of COVID-19 lockdowns and growing levels of indebtedness.
Claim: Sri Lanka Has the Largest Number of Ministers and Highest Taxes (Social Media Users, 2024-09-10)
Evidence (2022-04-28): Ahead of the November 2019 election, Sri Lankan presidential challenger Gotabaya Rajapaksa proposed sweeping tax cuts so reckless the incumbent government thought it must be a campaign gimmick. The finance minister at the time, Mangala Samaraweera, called a briefing to assail the "dangerous" pledge to reduce the value-added tax to 8% from 15% and scrap other levies. To him, it was simple math: Sri Lanka collected relatively less revenue than nearly any other country, and its high debt load had forced it to seek cash from the International Monetary Fund. [...] What’s more, the Rajapaksas have also been forced to retreat on the two major policies it implemented after the 2019 election. Finance Minister Ali Sabry said the value-added tax must rise for Sri Lanka to shore up its finances, and the Rajapaksas have offered to roll back presidential powers as opponents seek to impeach Gotabaya as president and remove Mahinda as prime minister.
Claim: Sri Lanka Has the Largest Number of Ministers and Highest Taxes (Social Media Users, 2024-09-10)
Evidence (2024-09-22): This victory belongs to all of us," Dissanayake said in a post on X. Outgoing President Wickremesinghe in a video statement congratulated Dissanayake and said he hoped he will carry forward the economic recovery efforts successfully. The election was a virtual referendum on Wickremesinghe’s leadership, including restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt under an International Monetary Fund bailout after it defaulted in 2022. Dissanayake, 55, had said he would renegotiate the IMF deal to make austerity measures more bearable. Wickremesinghe had warned that any move to alter the basics of the agreement could delay the release of a fourth tranche of nearly $3 billion that is crucial to maintaining stability. "I successfully completed the responsibility that history put on my shoulders. I was able to rescue my motherland from bankruptcy within short period pf two years," Wickremesinghe said. Under Wickremesinghe, inflation has dropped and foreign reserves and the local currency have strengthened. A 2 percent economic growth is predicted this year after a 7 percent contraction in 2022. But Sri Lankans are still struggling with high taxes and living costs. "Throughout our lives, we have undergone a lot of hardships and our children are also suffering now.
Claim: Sri Lanka Has the Largest Number of Ministers and Highest Taxes (Social Media Users, 2024-09-10)
Evidence (2022-08-11): Whether one views it as a failure to liberalize or industrialize, whether one sides with the orthodox or the heterodox camp, though, one cannot deny the political dimensions of the crisis. The situation in Sri Lanka is connected to the peculiarities of its politics. In 1931 the country became the first in Asia to gain the right to vote—even while still under colonial rule.49 This enabled the government to enact a series of welfare schemes—health expenditures comprise more than 4 percent of GDP in Sri Lanka, compared with around 3 percent in India, to cite one statistic50—which have heightened expectations among people. Historically, Sri Lanka’s main political parties have launched election campaigns on populist platforms, amplifying demands to raise subsidies and taxes, and employ university graduates to a highly bloated state sector.
Claim: Sri Lanka Has the Largest Number of Ministers and Highest Taxes (Social Media Users, 2024-09-10)
Evidence (2022-07-19): To understand the deeper reasons behind the country’s plight, we need to understand how its political economy and associated governance has evolved since 2005. That was the year when the first member of the Rajapaksa family – Mahinda – was elected President. Except for 2015-2019, when they were voted out of office, the Rajapaksa family has controlled the main offices of state and levers of power in Sri Lanka. Between 2019 and May 2022, not only was Gotabaya Rajapaksa the president, but his brother, Mahinda, was the prime minister. Although some other countries have, or had, families controlling power, the extent to which the Sri Lankan state has been taken over by one family following elections is very striking. [...] Quite how striking is shown in Figure 4 which provides a family tree showing not only the two brothers that have, at various times, been elected as president, but also another brother – Basil – who, at various points, has been a minister – most recently, finance minister – and has also run their political party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). Although Basil resigned from parliament in June 2022, his replacement – one of the richest businessmen in Sri Lanka – Dhammika Perera – has been a close associate of the family and was appointed the Minister of Investment Promotion in late June, although he has subsequently resigned. A fourth brother – Chamal – aside from being a member of parliament, was also speaker of the parliament between 2010 and 2015.
Claim: Sri Lanka Has the Largest Number of Ministers and Highest Taxes (Social Media Users, 2024-09-10)
Evidence (2022-07-16): The roots of the current political crisis are directly tied to the actions of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family, including his brothers former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Gotabaya came to power in 2019, and in 2020 his party, the Sri Lanka People's Front (SLPP), was able to consolidate its supermajority in parliament on a banner of populism and Sinhalese nationalism. By passing the 20th amendment to the constitution, Gotabaya was able to consolidate an unprecedented amount of power in the executive presidency. His dictatorial tendencies were matched by nepotism, corruption, the elevation of retired military officers into almost every sector of government, and serious accusations of human rights violations during the Sri Lankan civil war. But in the end, it was his (and his family’s) terrible governance and mismanagement of Sri Lanka’s economy, especially during the pandemic, that led to the economic crisis in the fall of 2021.
Claim: Sri Lanka Has the Largest Number of Ministers and Highest Taxes (Social Media Users, 2024-09-10)
Evidence (2021-04-12): Sri Lanka now proudly meets the highest level of achievement of taxation for cigarettes, with taxes reaching 77% of the price of the most sold brand. In line with best-practices in the WHO Tobacco Taxation manual, Sri Lanka primarily relies on a specific excise tax, meaning a tax levied on selected products based on quantity, such as number of cigarettes or weight of tobacco.
Claim: Sri Lanka Has the Largest Number of Ministers and Highest Taxes (Social Media Users, 2024-09-10)
Evidence (2023-09-30): C. Design, mamgemoit, and evaluation of tax expenditures86 199. Sri Lanka has made commendable progress in unifying the tax treatment of most companies. Until 2022, the tax system was fragmented by a multiplicity of sectoral exemptions and reduced rates that applied to different activities. These differences likely contributed to a misallocation of resources, as capital and labor was attracted to sectors and activities with low taxation rather than with high productivity. With effect from April 2023, most companies are subject to a 30 percent corporate income tax. Moreover, incentives granted under the Board of Investment (BoI) Act have been restricted to import tariff exemptions since 2016 and companies that still benefit from tax exemptions have recently been published on a government website to increase transparency.87 To address governance and fiscal leakage concerns, the modernised IRA, which took effect in 2018, included a provision stating that tax exemptions provided under any other laws or agreements after the commencement of the new IRA would have no legal effect if not specifically provided for by the IRA (see subsection 9(2) of the IRA).
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-15): Hence, the viral message is not based on credible scientific research. We urge our readers not to believe such unverified claims.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2022-02-21): With the second wave of Covid-19 creating havoc in the country, social media is flooded with unverified and unscientific home remedies. In one such viral message, it is being claimed that to increase the oxygen level one should inhale camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil. Fact Crescendo received many requests about this message on our […] [...] In one such viral message, it is being claimed that to increase the oxygen level one should inhale camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil. [...] The viral message reads as: Camphor, lavang, ajwain, few drops eucalyptus oil. Make potli and keep smelling it throughout the day and night. Helps increase oxygen levels and congestion. This potli is also given to tourists in Ladakh when oxygen levels are low. Many ambulances are now keeping these too. It's a home remedy.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-21): The viral claim stating Camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil increase oxygen levels is fake. Experts say there is no scientific basis to the claim. [...] Conclusion: The viral claim stating Camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil increase oxygen levels is fake. Experts say there is no scientific basis to the claim. - Claim Review : Camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil increases oxygen level - Claimed By : Bharat Palawe - Fact Check : False
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2024-07-17): A series of WhatsApp messages and Facebook posts, including one from politician and spokesperson of the BJP, claims Camphor, Ajwain, Lavang (Clove), Eucalyptus Oil helps increase the Oxygen level in the body. We investigated and found that the message is False. The message in circulation reads – "Camphor, lavang, ajwain, few drops eucalyptus oil. Make a potli and keep smelling it throughout the day and night. Helps increase oxygen levels and congestion. This potli is also given to tourists in Ladakh when oxygen levels are low. Many ambulances are now keeping these too. It’s a home remedy. kindly share and help." [...] However, multiple trekkers confirmed that they carry a small pack of Camphor when they go out to trek. Camphor is known to keep the nasal passage open which helps in proper inhalation in high altitude where Oxygen levels are lower.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-05-01): One widely shared "remedy" suggests a mix of camphor, clove, carom seeds and eucalyptus oil will be beneficial in maintaining oxygen levels while suffering from the virus. [...] In fact, camphor oil, widely used in skin creams and ointments, is potentially harmful if consumed internally. The US Centers for Disease Control warns that camphor vapour inhalation could cause poisoning.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-19): Fact check: Does Inhaling camphor, lavang, ajwain, few drops of eucalyptus oil increase blood oxygen levels New Delhi, Apr 19: A viral message being shared on the social media and chat groups claim that by inhaling camphor, lavang, ajwain and few drops of eucalyptus oil, the blood oxygen levels are increased and this can relieve respiratory distress. [...] Inhaling camphor, lavang, ajwain and few drops of eucalyptus oil increases blood oxygen levels
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-20): In one such viral message, it is being claimed that to increase the oxygen level one should inhale camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil. [...] The viral message reads as: Camphor, lavang, ajwain, few drops eucalyptus oil. Make potli and keep smelling it throughout the day and night. Helps increase oxygen levels and congestion. This potli is also given to tourists in Ladakh when oxygen levels are low. Many ambulances are now keeping these too. It's a home remedy. [...] Similarly, Carom seeds (Ajwain) are the seeds of the ajwain herb. They’re commonly used in Indian cuisine. There is limited research to suggest that carom seeds may have anti-coughing effects and could help increase airflow to the lungs. More research is needed to better understand the effect of carom seeds on coughing and other respiratory symptoms in humans.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-19): Fact Check: Does inhaling camphor increase blood oxygen level, relieve respiratory distress? [...] Recently, a viral message claiming that inhaling the vapour of camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil can increase blood oxygen level and even relieve respiratory distress is being shared across WhatsApp and Twitter. [...] On the other hand, there is no evidence to suggest that clove, carrom seeds, or Eucalyptus oil can increase blood oxygen or relieve respiratory distress.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-28): India breached the 3 lakh cases a day mark last week, and people have been prompt to circulate balderdash home remedies and techniques for COVID-19 patients in home isolation. The latest fad is promoting the use of camphor, eucalyptus oil and neem while doing steam inhalation. The WhatsApp message doing the rounds suggests making a small potli (bag) consisting of camphor, ajwain (carom seeds) laung (cloves) and a few drops of eucalyptus oil. The message claims that when this mix is inhaled it helps in "increasing the oxygen levels" in the body. [...] Do note that on the contrary, inhaling the mixture of camphor can lead to camphor poisoning, which in some cases is life-threatening. In patients who are COVID-19 positive, the blood oxygen saturation decreases because of the viral infection of the lungs and lower respiratory tract damage. It has little to do with nasal blockage and therefore relieving the nasal obstruction does not lead to an improved oxygen saturation level.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2022-09-01): There is no scientific evidence to prove that a combination of camphor, cloves, carom seeds and a few drops of eucalyptus oil can help in increasing oxygen levels in the body. Social media posts and YouTube videos promoting a combination of products available at home to help increase oxygen levels in the body are getting wide popularity. However, the claim is false. We came across 7-8 YouTube videos claiming that inhaling vapours of camphor (kapur), clove (laung), carom seeds (ajwain) and eucalyptus oil can increase the blood oxygen level. In some videos, this claim is also being attributed to doctors and medical institutions.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-16): A message going viral on social media claims that smelling a combination of camphor, cloves (laung), carrom seeds (ajwain) and a few drops of eucalyptus oil can help in increasing oxygen levels in the body. The viral message is accompanied by a photo showing the above-mentioned ingredients on a small white cloth. [...] "It's a myth. Smelling camphor does not increase oxygen levels. Smelling camphor clears blockages in the nasal passage that gives the feeling of better airflow," Dr Agarwal said in a phone conversation to The Quint. [...] Evidently, the claim that smelling camphor, laung, ajwain and eucalyptus oil increases oxygen levels is false. One should also be careful in using it as an inhalant because most of the camphor available in the market is synthetically produced and might cause irritation.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-26): You may have stumbled upon a message which suggests that inhaling vapour of camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil can help increase oxygen levels. [...] If you are an avid user of social media, then chances are that you may have stumbled upon a viral message which suggests that inhaling the vapour of camphor, clove, ajwain and eucalyptus oil can help increase oxygen levels. The core content of the message says, "Camphor, lavang, ajwain, few drops of eucalyptus oil. Make a potli and keep smelling it throughout the day and night. Helps increase oxygen levels and congestion. This potli is also given to tourists in Ladakh when oxygen levels are low. Many ambulances are now keeping these too. It's a home remedy. Kindly share and help (sic)."
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2022-03-30): Fact Check- Inhaling Camphor, Lavang, Ajwain, Eucalyptus Oil [...] For the past two days, one message is circulating on social media. The message recommends inhaling a heated mix of camphor, cloves, eucalyptus oil, and ajwain seed (carrom seeds) several times a day. All the ingredients are tied in a small cloth, called "potli" (spice bag). [...] We saw the claimed benefits of all these herbs and also saw the side effects and toxicity symptoms. Even though these herbs have some medicinal value and are traditionally being used for the treatment of cough and other respiratory problems, I couldn’t found any specific study focussed on their use in increasing the oxygen level of the body. They are primarily used as inhalers, to relieve cough, or as an expectorant as we saw earlier. More importantly, there are no studies focussing on the effectiveness of these herbs when they are used together.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2024-03-08): Dr Ravindra M Mehta, senior consultant and head of department, pulmonology and interventional pulmonology at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Jayanagar, Bangalore, dismissed the claim and said that it doesn’t help elevate blood oxygen levels. "Naturopathic solutions have been part of India’s heritage since time immemorial. There is no scientific proof in these modern times to substantiate it [camphor, clove, carom seeds and eucalyptus oil can increase oxygen levels]. Hence, I would put a cautious word out on behalf of the medical community that it is not advisable to depend on these and you must immediately seek medical help," he further explained. [...] So, one can see that this viral potli doing the rounds on your WhatsApp group, containing camphor, clove, carom seeds and eucalyptus oil, is not effective in increasing blood oxygen levels. It may help relieve congestion and associated headache, but those aren’t proven claims either. Be it high altitude or COVID-19, seeking medical help if your body is facing a shortage of oxygen, is a prerequisite.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-19): Inhalation of camphor, cloves (lavang), carron seeds (ajwain seeds) are the latest home remedies to increase oxygen levels to prevent COVID-19, according to viral messages doing the rounds on social media. But similar to all the other remedies, even this mixture of camphor and ajwain seeds wrapped in a handkerchief does not have any scientific evidence backing this claim. [...] The viral message reads, "Camphor, lavang, ajwain , few drops eucalyptus oil. Make a potli and keep smelling it throughout the day and night. Helps increase oxygen levels and congestion. This potli is also given to tourists in Ladakh when oxygen levels are low. Many ambulances are now keeping these too. It's a home remedy. kindly share and help." This message comes at a time when India is ramping up its oxygen production due to widespread reports of oxygen shortage resulting in the death of patients. [...] BOOM could not find any scientific papers propagating the use of camphor, ajwain seeds on increasing oxygen levels. While camphor is used in Ladakh, its role in increasing oxygen there is due to the belief that as oxygen levels in higher altitudes decrease, the camphor helps in clearing the nasal pathway and assists in breathing. Several mountaineering and trekking groups insist that people carry adequate camphor with them.
Claim: Does Inhaling Camphor, Clove, Ajwain And Eucalyptus Oil Help Increase The Oxygen Level? (Social Media Users, 2021-04-15)
Evidence (2021-04-29): According to Prakash Gyawali, a doctor of traditional Ayurveda medicine, although camphor, cloves and carom seeds are natural ingredients used in traditional remedies, the claim that their use boosts blood oxygen levels in humans is unfounded. "The Ayurveda hasn’t described these items as medicines. In order for something to be an Ayurvedic medicine, it has to be mentioned in the related literature," Gyawali told South Asia Check. [...] Also, we did an extensive search on Google but couldn’t find any reliable information to support the claim that the aforementioned mixture boosts blood oxygen levels. You can read about the benefits of camphor, clove and other herbs on WebMD, a US-based publisher of health-related information. Based on the statements of the two doctors and other references, the widely shared claim that the use of a mix of camphor, clove, carom seeds and eucalyptus oil increases the oxygen level is misleading and baseless.