News
Dengue already at epidemic level
Sri Lanka was facing a major dengue outbreak with the number of cases already reaching epidemic levels, Senior Consultant Physician at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama told the media on Thursday.
Dr. Wijewickrama said that according to the Epidemiology Unit, the total number of cases reported for 2023 had risen to 34,527. Nearly 50% of them were from the Western Province, with Gampaha, Colombo, and Kalutara reporting the highest number of cases, he said.
Dr. Wijewickrama warned that the worst was yet to come. The number of patients is likely to increase in June and July, and that Sri Lanka was already experiencing an epidemic.
Dr. Wijewickrama urged people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, use mosquito nets, wear long sleeved garments, and apply mosquito repellent. He also said that people should empty containers that can hold water such as flowerpots and buckets, to prevent mosquito breeding.
The Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide campaign to educate people on dengue prevention. The government has also deployed teams to clear mosquito breeding grounds.
Despite these efforts, the dengue epidemic is still a major threat to public health here and people are urged to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. (RK)
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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