Sri Lanka expands anti-dengue drive as deaths mount

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is escalating its efforts to combat the spread of dengue fever, deploying the military in an intensified campaign as the death toll since the start of the year has climbed to 49.

Last month, the South Asian island nation enlisted the military to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Beginning Thursday, the number of medical staff and security forces involved in the operation will double. The focus will be on the capital, Colombo, and two adjacent districts, which are experiencing the highest number of cases, according to Kapila Kannangara, head of the National Dengue Control Unit.

Dengue infections have surged this year, with 61,057 people infected in the first six months, more than double the 30,060 cases recorded during the same period in 2025. Over 15,000 new infections were reported in July alone. While these figures are still lower than the record high in 2017, officials are urging swift action to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

The Aedes mosquito, responsible for spreading dengue, breeds in stagnant water. The World Health Organization has cautioned that climate change is contributing to the wider and more rapid spread of dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses globally.

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We are launching a new drive from tomorrow to expand into more areas with additional staff and security personnel.