Sri Lanka ramps up dengue response with legal reforms and emergency measures

Sri Lanka is preparing amendments to its Mosquito Breeding Prevention Act, aiming to impose tougher penalties on property owners who allow mosquito breeding. The proposed legal changes are expected to give health and municipal authorities greater enforcement powers and are slated for parliamentary consideration in the coming months.

Health officials report a sharp increase in dengue infections, with 66,064 cases recorded this year and 46 deaths. In the first nine days of July alone, 10,685 new cases were reported, and the Western Province accounts for 52.7% of all national cases. Hospitals in the province are operating beyond capacity, with some beds accommodating two or three patients. Gampaha District now has the highest number of infections, overtaking Colombo.

In response, special dengue control operations involving the tri‑force and public health authorities continue across the country. Experts note that while dengue vaccines are approved in nearby nations, their rollout in Sri Lanka would require careful assessment and would not provide an immediate solution during the current outbreak.