President tells Presidential Task Force on Dengue Prevention:

Work with dedication, perseverance to eradicate dengue

Chaminda PERERA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said all segments of society from the President to the people at grassroots level should be integrated into an accelerated Dengue control drive to see the early eradication of dengue mosquitoes and breeding places from the country.

The President said Sri Lankans have faced a number of epidemics effectively throughout history and they have the strength to eradicate any type of epidemic. He stressed that everyone has to show more dedication and perseverance in the effort to eradicate the dengue menace from Sri Lanka.

He was addressing the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Dengue Prevention at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

President Rajapaksa added that Sri Lanka has succeeded in eradicating a number of epidemics and the people should have dedication and perseverance to see the end of Dengue epidemic too.

“It is the duty of the members of Presidential Task Force to ensure the eradication of this menace as early as possible. This is a national issue which can only be eradicated through a concerted effort,” he stressed.

The President added that people should shun their petty differences and extend their utmost co-operation for the eradication of dengue menace in the country. He added that the members of the Presidential Task Force on Dengue Control should inculcate in their minds that dengue prevention is a responsibility that has befallen on them. “The Dengue prevention drive is a something which has transcended the boundaries of your duties. It is a national responsibility which should be burdened by you,” he added.

The students can become harbingers of Dengue prevention campaign. They can disseminate the information on how this epidemic can be eradicated to their parents and society at large, he added. The President said that he was hopeful that stakeholders will pay more focus on the Dengue prevention drive to see early results.