A special national dengue prevention week will be held from November 9 to 14, 2026, covering 74 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media has announced.
Senior Assistant Secretary (News and Publicity) Lakshmendra Damayanthakumara Tennakoon said the initiative aims to counter potential epidemic risks indicated by recent patient trends, entomological indices and changing weather patterns. The programme was originally scheduled for November 2 to 7 but was postponed due to adverse weather.
The campaign is being carried out with the National Dengue Control Unit, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Sri Lanka Police, the Tri-Forces and volunteer organisations. Key activities include coordinating MOH divisions, deploying joint inspection teams, destroying breeding grounds in abandoned premises, and conducting cleanup drives in schools, pirivenas, universities and religious sites. Daily operations will be monitored through a dedicated operations room.
Dr. Kapila Kannangara, Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, said entomological indices and patient reporting are being continuously monitored. Media institutions have been urged to give the initiative wide publicity and share prevention awareness with the public.
