Sri Lanka is grappling with a dengue epidemic after confirmed infections surpassed 50,000 in 2026, with 29 deaths reported, according to local media citing health authorities.
Kapila Kannangara, acting director of the National Dengue Control Unit, said the country is recording between 600 and 700 new cases daily, driven by favourable weather conditions, widespread mosquito breeding and limited public participation in prevention efforts.
Health authorities recently carried out a special dengue control campaign across 600 high-risk areas identified as hotspots during the southwest monsoon.
The operation focused on eliminating mosquito breeding sites through community clean-up drives and public awareness initiatives involving schools, local authorities and government agencies. Thousands of mosquito breeding sites were identified during the nationwide campaign.
Kannangara said officials expect the intensified prevention measures to help reduce infections in the coming weeks, but urged the public to continue removing stagnant water around homes and cooperate with health inspectors.
Sri Lanka has experienced several major dengue outbreaks in recent years, including its worst in 2017, when more than 186,000 cases and 440 deaths were recorded.