Colombo Dengue Fogging Measures Criticised Over Health and Environmental Risks

Health officials in Sri Lanka warned that the aerial fogging used to combat dengue mosquitoes in Colombo is ineffective and poses serious environmental hazards. The Sri Lanka Medical Officers' Association highlighted that fogging only kills adult mosquitoes, leaving eggs and larvae untouched, and each operation costs over 20,000 rupees. The chemicals also kill beneficial insects such as bees and pollinators, leading to broader ecological damage. The country has recorded 52,068 dengue cases and 31 deaths to date.

The criticism was voiced at a press conference on 28 April, where association chair Najith Sumanasean called for alternative vector‑control strategies, noting that fogging is not a sustainable solution for dengue prevention.