Navy persists with national campaign to combat dengue

The Sri Lanka Navy has deployed personnel to support a national dengue prevention campaign aimed at curbing the spread of the disease in Colombo and surrounding areas. The initiative, themed "Towards a Dengue-Free Colombo," is a collaborative effort involving the 'Clean Sri Lanka' Secretariat, the National Dengue Control Unit and the Environmental Protection Division of the Sri Lanka Police. The operation marked its eighth consecutive day on 11 July 2026.

A contingent of 62 navy personnel from the Western Naval Command took part in the programme. They worked alongside Medical Officers of Health, Divisional Secretariat staff, Public Health Inspectors, and representatives from the International Red Cross.

Teams inspected 55 locations across several areas, including Modara, Borella, Kotte, Pita Kotte, Thalawathugoda, Mahara and Panadura. During the inspections, officials identified 1,508 potential mosquito breeding sites. The teams also conducted 48 awareness sessions to educate the public on dengue prevention measures.

Other Naval Commands across the island are also conducting continuous cleaning campaigns to ensure all naval bases remain free of dengue mosquitoes.