• Education Ministry vetoes same despite docs’ group’s request for 2 week cleaning-closure   
• Colombo Uni experiencing dengue fever
• Health employees including PHIs contract same
• Legal action against 1,186 in June with Rs  12.25 m fines collected
• Prez focuses on health quality standards 

The Ministries of Education and Health should immediately consider closing schools, universities and vocational training (VT) institutes in dengue high-risk areas for at least two weeks to allow the premises to be cleaned and mosquito breeding sites to be eliminated, the President of the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), Dr  Chamal Sanjeeva said. Dr  Sanjeeva, addressing the media yesterday (9), said that the temporary closure should apply to Government, semi-Government and private educational institutions located in areas reporting a high percentage of dengue cases, warning that immediate action is needed to prevent the outbreak from escalating further. Dr Sanjeeva said that with the number of dengue cases topping 65,000, the actual number of infections could be significantly higher. He warned that closing schools or universities only after a sharp rise in cases would serve little purpose. "There is no benefit in shutting schools or universities after the viral infection has reached massive proportions despite the efforts of the health services. He said that the public and institutions also need to do their part to bring the disease under control. Also, it would slim down the opportunity to prevent further transmission, he said.

He warned that many hospitals are already operating beyond their capacity, placing healthcare workers under severe pressure as they struggle to cope with the growing number of dengue patients. Dr  Sanjeeva said that the shortage of inpatient facilities has forced many patients to remain under hospital beds or in corridors while receiving treatment, placing their lives at greater risk. He urged the Ministries of Education and Health to jointly take an early decision on temporarily closing educational institutions in high-risk areas instead of waiting until the situation deteriorated further. "Taking action only after the outbreak has worsened is like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted," he quipped.

However, the Education Ministry Secretary, Nalaka Kaluwewa, when contacted for comment, told The Daily Morning that the Ministry is following the directives issued in the National Circular given by the Presidential Secretariat, recommending dengue prevention work for the Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry. It recommended mandatory measures which should be followed. He said however that there have been no directives issued for the temporary closure of education institutions in high risk areas for cleaning purposes.

Entomological surveillances have shown that schools especially are high risk mosquito breeding grounds.

Meanwhile, a total of 71 students of the Colombo University have been diagnosed with dengue fever, while five students are currently receiving treatment after being admitted to hospital, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Indika Karunathilake said. Prof. Karunathilake noted that the majority of dengue cases reported from the University were among students of the Arts Faculty. In response to the situation, the University administration has decided to conduct academic activities through online and hybrid methods for one week from today (10), while taking into consideration the impact on students’ studies. The move aims to ensure the continuation of academic activities while addressing the health concerns among students, Prof. Karunathilake said.

Eight Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) in the Colombo District have contracted dengue fever while carrying out dengue prevention and control operations, officials revealed. Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday (9), the Colombo District Branch Chairperson of the PHI Union, Amit Kumar said that the PHIs had become infected while performing their duties amid a growing dengue threat. He said that several other health sector employees had also contracted the disease, while the dengue situation across the Colombo District continues to worsen. Kumar further stated that legal action had been taken against 1,186 individuals who failed to comply with dengue prevention responsibilities during inspections conducted throughout last month (June). The authorities have also collected fines amounting to Rs  12.25 million through enforcement measures. He added that legal action was taken in June against owners or responsible parties linked to 494 homes, 134 Government and private institutions, four schools, and two religious sites. Kumar said that enforcement measures would continue, with the law being implemented without discrimination regardless of an individual’s status or position.

Also, Sri Lanka’s dengue death toll has increased to 45, while the total number of dengue cases reported so far this year (2026) has surpassed 65,000, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said. According to an official statement issued by the Unit, a total of 65,034 dengue cases have been recorded across the country in 2026. The NDCU said that 9,654 cases were reported within the first eight days of this month (July). The highest number of dengue cases this year has been reported from the Gampaha District with 13,332 cases followed by the Colombo District with 13,150 cases. The Matara District has recorded 4,600 cases, while 4,354 cases have been reported from the Kalutara District.

Elsewhere, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised the Government’s aim is to transform Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector beyond mere reforms and elevate it to internationally recognised standards of quality. The President said that the Government is prepared to allocate the necessary funding to achieve this objective while participating in a pre-Budget discussion on the Health Ministry. The meeting reviewed the progress of projects implemented under this year’s Budget allocations and discussed proposals for next year’s (2027) Budget.