Disaster Management Ministry assists dengue fight

Nadira Gunatilleke

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera will deploy ministry vehicles and resources to control dengue when there are no disasters, Health Ministry media coordinator W M D Wanninayake said.

Minister Amaraweera has taken this decision considering the dangers of dengue, he said.

"The Disaster Management Ministry has its centres covering all districts. When there is no natural disaster in the country, the vehicles and resources of these centres will be used to control dengue," Wanninayake said.

Minister Amaraweera participated in a discussion with Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena yesterday in connection with the new arrangement. Minister Amaraweera extended his fullest support towards the Health Ministry's dengue control programme.

The decision to deploy vehicles and other resources came into effect yesterday, he said.

Meanwhile, health authorities have prosecuted 6,182 households for having dengue mosquito breeding grounds in their gardens.

These households were nabbed during Dengue Prevention Week inspections, Wanninayake said.