Controlling Dengue menace:

Local BTI in market next week

Cuban BTI arriving soon:

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Government has paid money to the Cuban Government to import BTI bacteria to Sri Lanka. It will arrive in Sri Lanka soon.

According to the normal procedure, Cuba produced the bacteria after Sri Lanka placed the order and paid money.

Locally produced BTI bacteria will be available in the market within the next week, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

The Minister addressing the Local Government National Symposium at Gramodaya Janakala Kendraya, Battaramulla, yesterday also refuted allegations against official concerning the import of Cuban BTI.

Minister Sirisena pointed out that measures have been taken to curb the spread of dengue, core for the victims and prevent dengue deaths.

“I strongly believe that we can defeat dengue and it is possible. A Presidential Task Force set up just after I took over the Ministry. I thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa for setting up the Task Force.

Health Ministry does not hold the sole responsibility of controlling dengue. There are many other institutions involved,” the Minister said.

First and second Monday of August and third and fourth Saturday of the same month have been allocated to implement dengue control activities.

Two days are holidays and other two days are working days. Apart from that, the third week of August has been declared as the National Dengue Control Week.

Local Government and Provincial Council Minister A.L.M. Athaulla and Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranayake were present.

The Local Government National Symposium was held under the theme `local Approach for Global Development’.