A large number of troops participated in the program to clean and destroy possible mosquito breeding places at schools in 8 zones including Kolonnawa, Battaramulla, Kaduwela, Pitakotte, Hanwella, Homagama, Kahatuduwa and Padukka. Assiatance was also received from the area Medical Officers of Health, Public Health Inspectors, and staff members of the schools.

With the current rainy weather there is a high risk of an increase in the spread of Dengue. The program was carried out to prevent an outbreak of this disease.

A similar Dengue Prevention program was also carried out by the Army last month in the Jaffna Peninsula. During the first week of January a massive Dengue prevention campaign was launched covering 147 schools followed by a similar program during the second week involving 67 schools in the region.