Tri-Forces Extend Full Support to National Dengue Prevention Effort
The Sri Lanka Army, Navy, and Air Force have launched a large-scale cleanup and awareness campaign to combat rising dengue infections in high-risk areas.
Tri-Forces Extend Full Support to National Dengue Prevention Effort
Sri Lanka has launched a large-scale public health initiative to curb the spread of dengue, deploying personnel from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force to high-risk areas of the Western Province. The programme, which commenced on 04 July 2026, operates under the special instructions of the President and the direct supervision of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
The Ministry of Defence stated that the operation targets institutions and surrounding localities throughout the Western Province. Tri-Forces personnel are conducting extensive cleaning campaigns, clearing blocked drainage systems, and identifying and destroying potential mosquito breeding sites. Additionally, the military is running community awareness programmes to educate residents in high-risk zones on effective prevention measures.
This mobilization comes as health authorities report a surge in infections. According to the Ministry of Health, dengue cases in Sri Lanka have surpassed 58,000 in 2026, with 3,422 infections reported. Earlier data from the Presidential Media Division (PMD) on 23 June 2026 indicated that cases had risen to 47,179, with 28 reported deaths for the year.
The national effort is characterized by a shift toward stronger monitoring and legal enforcement. During a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat co-chaired by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, officials decided to establish a monitoring unit for dengue control led by the Tri-Forces. The government also plans to tighten legal actions and utilize existing Community Strength and Public Security Committees at the regional level to strengthen control efforts.
The National Dengue Control Unit has identified 112 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions as high-risk. Rapid spread has been noted in the following areas:
- Matara, Galle, and Ratnapura districts
- The Biyagama MOH division of the Gampaha district
- The Panadura MOH division of the Kalutara district
The National Dengue Control Unit stated that these figures represent a clear increase compared to the years 2024 and 2025. Dr. Kapila Kannangara, the Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, noted that the public has not yet adequately adapted to prevention measures.
To address these gaps, several ground-level initiatives are underway. The Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, stated that a special ground-level program is being prepared, involving discussions with Regional and Provincial Directors of Health Services. This follows a decision mentioned by the PMD to implement a three-day dengue control program covering 600 Grama Niladhari divisions.
Private sector efforts are also active. A program organized by Sirasa FM under the theme Let's Win, Let's Defeat Dengue
is covering 1,000 houses across 10 towns over 10 days, with recent activities centering around the Mulleriyawa town.
The crisis in Sri Lanka reflects a broader regional challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) previously warned that dengue is a major public health challenge in the South-East Asia Region, exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanization, and poor waste management. In 2023, the WHO classified dengue as a Grade 3 emergency. To support member states, the WHO has introduced a Regional Dengue Dashboard and conducted case management training workshops for nurses and clinicians in collaboration with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Sri Lanka.
The Ministry of Defence and the Tri-Forces continue to implement these community welfare initiatives to protect public health and support the national mechanism for controlling the disease.
