Sri Lanka launches nationwide dengue prevention drive

Sri Lanka’s Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa convened a special meeting of district secretaries from 14 districts identified as dengue hotspots, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy and others. The meeting reviewed ongoing mosquito‑control efforts, hospital readiness and community‑engagement plans, and ordered an urgent public‑awareness campaign.

A week‑long National Dengue Control Week campaign was launched on 15 June, running through 20 June. Coordinated clean‑up operations will target public spaces, drainage networks, markets, transport hubs and places of worship from 15‑17 June; schools and pre‑schools on 18 June; government offices, private workplaces and industrial sites on 19 June; and residential neighbourhoods on 20 June. Authorities urged the public, businesses and security forces to eliminate standing water and maintain clean surroundings to curb the spread of dengue during the rainy season.