The decision was taken at a special meeting on Prevention of Dengue held at the Health Ministry on Friday (21st April) under the patronage of minister Senarathne.

The risk of dengue has been increased in 12 districts and 33,151 dengue patients and 61 dengue deaths have been reported so far this year. Those districts are Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala, Puttlam, Trincomalee, Batticoloa, Ratnapura, Kegalle, and Matara.

At the meeting it was decided to implement dengue prevention programs giving priority for those districts. The schools will be cleaned before the new school term begins on 26th April with the assistance of the Ministry of Education. The police and Health Officials will submit a report after inspecting the cleaned school premises.   

The school premises found with dengue mosquitoes will be given a grace period of one month to clean them and the principals will be prosecuted if the situation continues even after the grace period. The dengue prevention committees of the schools will also be strengthened.

Further, all the construction sites island-wide will be inspected and the license will be cancelled if dengue larvae are found. As well, all the abandoned boats will also be destroyed.

Minister Senarathne also requested IGP Pujith Jayasundara to provide sufficient police officers to empower the Police Environment Unit.