• Plastic cups, cans, water rails, tents, garbage, court productions such as illicit liquor barrels, bus roofs

Health sector authorities warned the public to exercise caution during the upcoming perahera season in the backdrop of the El Niño triggered rainy season, emphasising the need to prevent the creation of dengue breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr Kapila Kannangara said that while the number of reported dengue patients is currently declining, a surge could be expected if the public acts negligently in the face of upcoming El Niño changes and the perahera season. "The dengue cases reported are going lower now. There are very few possibilities that the natural environment offers breeding grounds for mosquitoes. If only there are no breeding grounds made by humans, these mosquitoes go to those naturally built spots. But, people leaving plastic cups, cans, water rails, tents and items as such carelessly outside, end up making them breeding grounds," Dr Kannangara said. He further noted that during events like perahera seasons, garbage left by people for approximately three days serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. He also pointed out that even Police stations contribute to the problem when they keep court items, for instance, barrels that were used to make illicit liquor, outside, which also creates dengue breeding grounds. Additionally, buses that are no longer in use, parked at depots, accumulate water on their tops, making them potential breeding sites. "Dengue is not an abrupt disease that came out of nowhere like Covid. It has been in the country for more than two and a half decades. People are aware of what to do and what not to do. But, still some are careless," he added.

Last week, residents in the area had raised concerns over the failure to clear garbage accumulated around the historic Sabaragamuwa Saman Devalaya, despite four days having passed since the conclusion of the annual perahera, stating that this could turn into dengue breeding grounds. The same concerns persist with the upcoming perahera season in the Dalada Maligawa during the rainfall triggered by El Niño.