To combat dengue:

Aerial spray in Colombo city

Nadira Gunatilleke

Arrangements have been made to aerial spray Cuban BTI bacteria in Colombo city limits in the third week of October as a pilot project. Initiatives were taken in this regard during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's recent tour of Cuba, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, Cuban BTI bacteria will be sprayed from air in Colombo using Air Force aircraft. Dengue is rapidly increasing with the ongoing rains. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena stressed that no matter how expensive it is, BTI bacteria will be imported from Cuba and sprayed in the Colombo city and other badly affected areas in the country.