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| Sunday, 23 June 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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'Popular' schools, museum blacklisted : Dengue crackdown by Shanika Sriyananda Liyanage and Don Asoka Wijewardena Local government authorities are poised to close down a number of government institutions, including schools, and also file legal action in an attempt to stem the growing epidemic dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. Municipal sources told the "Sunday Observer" that inefficient cleaning, poor planning and sheer neglect had resulted in compounds and environs of institutions where large numbers of people gather on a daily basis becoming breeding grounds for mosquitos, and high risk zones for dengue. With the dengue death toll in Colombo alone at 18, the authorities have identified the institutions which are the danger zones and are calling for their closure. These institutions include: The Colombo Museum, Royal College, Buddhist Ladies College, Ladies College, Weluvana Vidyalaya, Ananda College and SirimavoBandaranaike Vidyalaya. Chief CMC medical officer Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, who identified the institutions, told the "Sunday Observer" that municipal probe teams were continuing inspections throughout the metropolitan region. Other risk zones would be similarly blacklisted as and when they are identified, he said. Meanwhile the CMC has already filed no less than 40 court cases against institutions and individuals responsible for not maintaining their properties according to municipal health standard. Over 350 warning notices have also been given to others. There are many mosquito breeding places in the Museum and we request the government to close it down,till it is free of such breeding places.This has become necessary as schoolchildren frequent the Museum," Dr Kariyawasam said. Dr. Kariyawasam also said that those who repeatedly violate the law, will be liable to six months imprisonment. Meanwhile, the Health Minister P. Dayaratne said that the existing regulations will be amended to combat the spreading of the disease. |
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