Speaking during a discussion with members of the Entomological Society on the growing dengue threat, Premadasa noted that more than 57,000 dengue cases and 36 deaths have been reported, with the Western Province experiencing a significant surge that has placed additional pressure on hospital capacity.
Among his key proposals was the need to improve facilities for entomology officers. He said that although approval had reportedly been granted to provide motorcycles for field officers, the decision was later rejected. Premadasa argued that field officers require adequate transport to carry out inspections and mosquito control activities effectively.
He also called for stronger legal powers for entomology officers, stating that existing legislation does not provide sufficient authority to perform field duties. He proposed amending the Mosquito Control Act of 2007 to better reflect present-day requirements in 2026 and urged authorities to make greater use of technical data and recommendations provided by entomology professionals when formulating dengue control policies.
Mr.Premadasa further stressed that dengue prevention programmes should be implemented based on scientific evidence and reliable data rather than political influence. He said officers should be allowed to carry out their responsibilities without unnecessary interference.
Highlighting the increase in dengue cases in the districts of Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Matale, and Puttalam, he said a special dengue control programme had been proposed for the upcoming religious festival season but was reportedly rejected. He urged the relevant minister to engage directly with entomology officers and hold constructive discussions focused on addressing the public health challenge.
The Opposition Leader also pledged the support of the opposition in tackling the dengue outbreak. Referring to Australia's experience in controlling dengue in Brisbane, he suggested that Sri Lanka study and adapt similar strategies. He further proposed allocating the necessary funding and seeking technical and financial assistance through discussions with the Australian Government.
He also highlighted staffing shortages within the entomology service, noting that although the service requires 346 officers, only 192 are currently in place. He called for the remaining vacancies to be filled without delay to strengthen the country's dengue prevention capacity.
