A three-day nationwide dengue control programme will be carried out from June 24 to 26 as authorities step up efforts to curb the spread of dengue amid the ongoing southwest monsoon season.

The decision was taken during a discussion held today (22) at the Presidential Secretariat on short-term and long-term strategies to combat the rapidly spreading dengue threat caused by the southwest monsoon season.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

Accordingly, it was decided to issue a circular outlining the measures to be taken for short-term dengue control, covering government institutions, schools and local government bodies. It was also decided to implement dengue control programmes across 600 Grama Niladhari divisions during the three-day period of June 24, 25 and 26, the PMD noted. 

In addition, a decision has been taken to establish a monitoring unit under the leadership of the Tri-Forces, strengthen legal enforcement measures and further reinforce dengue prevention activities through the Community Empowerment and Public Safety Committees that have already been established at the local level. 

The discussion emphasized the urgent need to accelerate short-term interventions, as schools, factories, government institutions and places of worship have been identified as major breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes, the PMD added. 

The participants also held extensive discussions on long-term measures required to prevent similar outbreaks and trends in the future. 

The Chief of Staff to the President, Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Russell Aponsu; Additional Secretary to the President and Head of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat S.P.C. Sugeeshwara; as well as officials representing the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education; the Ministry of Health and Mass Media; the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs; the National Dengue Control Unit; the National Institute of Infectious Diseases; the University of Sri Jayewardenepura; the Regional Director of Health Services Office; the Colombo Municipal Council; the Department of Government Information; and the Sri Lanka tri-forces attended the discussions.