• Over 42,000 dengue cases reported so far 
• 25 deaths reported since January 

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

In a bid to combat the spread of Covid-19 and Dengue in the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed two committees namely a Ministerial Committee and an Expert Committee.   

These Committees have been formed in accordance with Cabinet Decision No. 23/Miscellaneous/026 issued on June 22nd, 2023.   

The Ministerial Committee, led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, comprises 8 members, including Cabinet and State Ministers. Their primary responsibility is to implement urgent measures aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19 and Dengue nationwide.   

On the other hand, an Expert Committee consisting of 11 members who possess extensive knowledge in the relevant field has been appointed to provide invaluable expertise and guidance in the fight against Covid-19 and Dengue.   

To support the Ministerial Committee in its objectives, the following experts and officials in the relevant fields have been appointed as members of the Experts Committee:   

This Committee comprises Dr. Seetha Arambepola - State Minister of Health as the Chairperson, and Mr. S. Janaka Sri Chandraguptha - Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ms. M Kodippiliarachchi - Additional Secretary (Local Government & Provincial Councils), Dr. Asela Gunawardena - Director General of Health Services, Dr. S. M. Arnold - Deputy Director General (Public Health Services - I), Dr. Samitha Ginige - Director, Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Nalin Ariyarathne - Director, National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama - Senior Consultant Physician, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando – Paediatrician, Prof. Neelika Malavige - Professor, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Dr. Upul Dissanayake - Consultant Physician as members of this Committee. 

 
Meanwhile, in order to facilitate the work of the Experts Committee, nine Provincial sub-Committees have also been established chaired by the Chief Secretary of the relevant province. 

 
Sri Lanka is currently grappling with a Dengue epidemic with over 42,000 cases being logged for the year 2023. Sri Lanka has also reported 25 deaths since January.   

According to health officials, the worst is yet to come and thus people should brace themselves to face a major outbreak.   

As far as the Covid-19 situation is concerned, Sri Lanka is out of the woods; however, several Asian countries like China have experienced a surge in cases. In that context, it is vital to be vigilant and take precautionary measures to avert the virus entering into the country.