BTI bacteria aerial spraying in Colombo by March 15

Nadira Gunatilleke

Aerial spraying of BTI bacteria will take place in Colombo by March 15 if the relevant paper gets Cabinet approval. The Cabinet paper is to be presented by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena shortly, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, Minister Sirisena held a special discussion with Cuban Ambassador Indira Lopez recently in connection with importing of BTI bacteria from Cuba.

Last year, over 56 per cent of Dangue patients were reported from the Colombo district and especially from Colombo city limits. BTI bacteria is effective for one week and Rs. 220 million is required to conduct one aerial spray.

"Arrangements have been made to aerial spray Cuban BTI bacteria in the Colombo city limits as a pilot project.Initiatives were taken in this regard under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Cuban BTI bacteria will be sprayed from the air in Colombo using Air Force helicopters. Dengue in Colombo spread rapidly due to the large number of high rise buildings with concrete slabs, half built buildings with concrete slabs on the top of them. Gutters are the other main problem,: the spokesman said.