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By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe

The alarming rise in dengue cases in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, and Matara has prompted doctors to express serious concerns about hospitals’ capacity to manage them.

National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) Director Dr Kapila Kannangara has warned that if the situation continues for several more days, hospitals and the country’s healthcare system may become overwhelmed by the growing number of dengue patients.

Amidst these concerns, the Presidential Task Force on Dengue will meet tomorrow to discuss dengue control measures and the capacity of healthcare facilities.

Fumigation at Dematagoda station: Part of the special dengue control programme nationwide campaign from June 15 to June 19. Pix by Indika Handuwala

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has decided to continue its country-wide special dengue control programme on a daily basis following the nationwide campaign conducted from June 15 to June 19.

As of Friday, more than 45,356 dengue cases have been reported across the country for 2026. Of these, 11,515 cases were recorded during the first 19 days of June alone. Furthermore, 28 people, including five schoolchildren, have died of dengue or dengue-related complications.

Of the total deaths, 22 were females. Among the five child fatalities, three were girls.

National Dengue Control Unit officials told the Sunday Times that negligence remains the primary reason for the continued spread of the disease.

The lack of a highly effective vaccine has also contributed to the situation, according to Dr Prashila Samaraweera, Consultant Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit.

The unit has identified Colombo, Gampaha, Matara, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura, and the Colombo Municipal Council area as high-risk dengue zones.

“During the special dengue control programme, we found numerous mosquito breeding sites in schools, government institutions, factories, construction sites, and even religious places. We urge everyone to work together and take responsibility for cleaning their surroundings,” she said.

However, the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association is calling for stronger legal provisions to effectively control dengue.

Its spokesman, Sandun Rathnayake, highlighted the inadequacy of the Mosquito Control Act, explaining it was not designed to enable authorities to easily prosecute offenders.

“Several shortcomings in the existing law have limited the effectiveness of public health inspectors’ role. Even when dengue breeding sites are identified, it is often difficult to initiate direct legal proceedings or take swift legal action. This effectively ties the hands of field officers.

“When a dengue mosquito breeding site is identified, is awareness alone sufficient? No. Where there is no fear of legal consequences, responsibility is often lacking as well,” Mr Rathnayake said.

What is needed today for dengue control is not only public cooperation but also a stronger legal framework, he added. PHI officers must be given powers to take immediate action, fines should be increased, and the legal process for filing cases should be simplified.

“Treating dengue patients after they arrive at hospitals is not enough; preventing the disease from spreading must be the priority,” Mr Rathnayake added.

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