News

Health experts push dengue vaccine rollout

Published

2 months ago

2026/07/5

Sri Lanka’s escalating dengue outbreak, with nearly 60,000 reported cases and 32 deaths so far this year, has intensified calls for the introduction of a dengue vaccination programme, as hospitals struggle with more than 1,000 daily admissions and outbreak control teams are deployed to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, Health Ministry sources said.

Ministry sources said that the current surge, driven by heavy monsoon rains and flooding linked to Cyclone Ditwah, has pushed case numbers close to levels seen in 2017, with infections nearly doubling between April and mid-June.

While vector control measures remain the country’s primary response, health experts point to a missing component in the national strategy: vaccination.

Globally, a tetravalent dengue vaccine designed to protect against all four serotypes has already been introduced in 41 countries, with 18.6 million doses administered across endemic regions including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil and Colombia.

The vaccine was evaluated in the large-scale Phase 3 TIDES clinical trial involving more than 20,000 children and adolescents aged 4 to 16 across eight dengue-endemic countries, including Sri Lanka, with study sites in Colombo and Gampaha districts. Interim and final analyses published in peer-reviewed journals, including The Lancet Global Health, have reported sustained efficacy over several years of follow-up.

Since receiving its first approval in Indonesia in 2022, the vaccine has been prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is recommended for use in high-transmission settings for children aged 6 to 16 years.

Health experts argue that Sri Lanka already possesses the infrastructure needed for phased rollout, particularly through its school-based health system, suggesting that priority districts such as Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Kandy could be targeted first.

They note that reducing severe dengue cases would ease pressure on hospitals during peak monsoon seasons, improve workforce productivity, and reduce disruption to education in high-incidence areas.

Concerns previously raised over vaccine safety in dengue-naïve populations are said to have been addressed in later-stage clinical data, which demonstrate protection across both previously exposed and unexposed individuals, reducing the need for pre-screening in large-scale public programmes.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, currently experiencing a strong rebound, could also benefit from the availability of a vaccine, with industry stakeholders noting that dengue risk perception continues to influence traveller confidence.

While the WHO maintains that vaccination should complement—not replace—mosquito control efforts, public health observers say Sri Lanka’s goal of eliminating dengue mortality by 2030 may require additional preventive tools beyond current strategies.

With the science established and implementation models already in place globally, the decision now rests on whether Sri Lanka will integrate vaccination into its national dengue response framework.

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Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation

Published

32 mins ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Namal Rajapaksa being brought to the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was yesterday remanded until September 18 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with an investigation into the controversial SriLankan Airlines Airbus aircraft transaction.

Rajapaksa appeared before the CIABOC at around 9.15 am yesterday to record a statement after being summoned over the transaction. He was taken into custody following several hours of questioning and subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

The investigation centres on allegations surrounding the acquisition of six Airbus A330 and eight A350 aircraft by SriLankan Airlines in 2013, in connection with an alleged USD 2 million bribe.

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and his wife, Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, had previously been named in connection with the alleged bribery.

Chandrasena was arrested on March 12 as part of an investigation launched by the CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act and was subsequently released on bail. He was later found dead on May 8 while on bail, with police suspecting that his death was a suicide.

Open warrants have been issued for the arrest of Wijenayake, who is named as the second suspect, and Shamindra Rajapaksa, named as the third suspect, in the case pending before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Airbus transaction.

The investigation has also received assistance from Airbus, with a delegation from the company’s parent group in France visiting Sri Lanka during the first week of August. The delegation provided statements and other assistance to the CIABOC as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Rajapaksa’s arrest and remand yesterday mark a further development in the widening investigation into the controversial aircraft deal.

News

Dengue cases surpass 96,000 this year

Published

33 mins ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

The number of dengue cases reported in Sri Lanka this year has risen to 96,040, with 72 deaths recorded so far, according to the National Dengue Control Unit.

The Unit said 10,155 cases were reported in August alone, highlighting the continuing spread of the disease across several parts of the country.

The Western Province has recorded the highest number of cases at 50,760, followed by the Southern Province with 13,931, the Central Province with 8,788 and the Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,910.

At district level, Gampaha has reported the highest number of cases at 20,444, followed by Colombo with 19,008.

Kandy has recorded 7,043 cases, while Kalutara and Matara have reported 6,181 and 6,154 cases,a respectively.

The National Dengue Control Unit said 50 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas across the country have been identified as high-risk areas for dengue.

Health authorities have continued to urge the public to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding, particularly in areas where a high incidence of dengue has been reported.

News

PM Harini, Bhutan King explore closer ties

Published

34 mins ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya meets King of Bhutan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan at the historic Tashichhodzong, in Thimphu, last Wednesday (02), with discussions focusing on Bhutan’s development priorities and ways to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka.

The meeting took place during Dr. Amarasuriya’s official visit to Bhutan.

The Bhutanese King expressed interest in drawing on Sri Lanka’s experience and expertise in areas relevant to the country’s long-term development plans, according to a statement issued, following the meeting.

The two sides also discussed opportunities to expand investment cooperation, including a proposal to establish an investment zone in Bhutan.

The discussions further covered demographic challenges facing Bhutan, particularly the increasing migration of young people and its potential impact on the country’s future workforce and population.

Both sides underscored the importance of sustainable development and creating greater opportunities for young people to contribute to national economic growth and development.

The meeting formed part of efforts to broaden cooperation between Sri Lanka and Bhutan beyond traditional areas of bilateral engagement, with investment, development expertise and demographic concerns emerging as areas of common interest.