A reminder

There was wide publicity and some concerted action at the height of the dengue epidemic a few months ago. Though media attention and preventive action on the part of the health authorities were lacking at the onset of the epidemic the very scale of the epidemic called for quick action.

However, with the end of the rainy season the authorities gleefully reported the declining incidence of dengue and declared that the epidemic is on the wane. In fact, much publicity was given to its decline than its outbreak.

However, there is nothing to feel shy. Dengue epidemic has become a recurring phenomenon given our weather and public apathy and indifference.

With the incessant rains during the past few weeks, dengue fever is fast spreading again. There are no signs that the authorities and the public are yet aware of it. At least no concerted action is seen yet.

While it is not possible to control the disease completely, it is possible to reduce or minimize its occurrence by effective quick action. As we emphasised in this column on an earlier occasion dengue eradication needs a holistic approach. No single remedy is available. Though the use of BTI is effective, it has to be applied in collaboration with a mass-scale environment cleaning campaign to get the optimum results.

The incidence of dengue in Sri Lanka is still at a high level and hence there is the need for a massive drive to kill the dengue vector. This could be best done by aerial spraying of BTI. It was reported that the Government has decided to import the Cuban BTI and also get Cuban assistance for spraying. The Cabinet is said to have approved funds for the same.

However, nothing is heard after that. The Daily News understands that the Cuban BTI has also been registered here according to the regulations. The Cuban experts who came about three months ago are still here. It is necessary to act without delay as another round of the epidemic could break again.

It is no secret that there was resistance to the introduction of the Cuban BTI by vested interests. Even the Report of the Cuban experts was subjected to scrutiny by a panel of local experts.

This Expert Report on the Expert Report has been accepted more than a month ago. What is needed is quick action for the rains would not wait. Nor would the mosquitoes stop breeding.

This is the third time that Sri Lanka has sought Cuban help. On two previous occasions too their experts came but the project was abandoned. This time, the people expect some tangible result.

The BIG two meet

President Barack Obama is on a three-day visit to China. He arrived there on November 15 after participating in a meeting of the APEC grouping. It is also the first visit of President Obama to China after assuming office.

Naturally a meeting of the world's two giants would attract world attention. China is a rising power on the world stage. It is the second largest economy after the US. In the near future it is expected to overcome the US and reach the number one position.

The world expects its two giant nations to co-operate in the interests of humanity. President Obama stated yesterday that the US does not seek to contain China and is seeking a deeper relationship with China. This augurs well for both countries and the world in general.

As Obama stressed the rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations.

The meeting is expected to focus on peace and security in the Asian region, the issue of nuclear power development in the People's Republic of Korea and issues inked with climate change with especial reference to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in early December.

The two countries have far too intimate economic relations that forbid any confrontation approach.

It is well-known China is the biggest creditor of the US. On the other hand, the US is its largest trade partner. The US could ill-afford to lose the vast Chinese market. Nor could China benefit from a weak dollar as it has invested heavily in US treasury bills.

The changed world balance of forces also precludes a confrontation. Therefore one could expect a positive outcome from this big two meeting.