For a dengue-free environment:
Plea for Public Nuisance Ordinance
by Nilma DOLE
Implementing the Public Nuisance Ordinance is the only way to prevent
people from dumping garbage which leads to the breeding of mosquitoes,
said Provincial Director of Health Services, Western Province and
founder Secretary of the Private Health Services Regulatory Council, Dr.
Amal Harsha De Silva.
He said that there are several provincial ministers who need to take
heed of the mosquito problem to prevent the rapid spread of the dengue
epidemic by implementing islandwide programs. "In general, we have seen
a decrease in mosquito density with the islandwide dengue programs, but
there are still several municipal councils who have to take measures to
serve the public," said Dr.De Silva.
He said, "While we have authorities doing their best to curb the
mosquito problem, the public also have to adhere to the regulations. If
they don't, strict disciplinary measures like a fine should be imposed."
Dr. De Silva was confident that if the Public Nuisance Ordinance is
enforced, Sri Lanka will be even better than Singapore in terms of a
clean and green environment.
Principal Public Health Inspector (PHI) P.A. Piyaratna Pananwala
said, "Through these measures, competent authorities like the local PHIs
and local government officials can bring wrongdoers to justice with
prior notice of two weeks. If anyone fails to adhere to the Mosquito
Breeding Prevention Act, a fine of Rs. 15,000 will be imposed."
Depending on the offence, a fine between Rs.1,000 and Rs. 20,000 can be
imposed on the guilty party in an effort to ensure that they adhere to
the Act. Through this Act, several cases have been filed by PHIs and
local government agents notifying wrongdoers on how they can eliminate
mosquito breeding sites.
The Principal PHI said, "Even with all the media attention, education
and awareness programs pertaining to dengue prevention, there are still
members of the public who are negligent and do not change their
attitudes when it comes to eliminating mosquito breeding sites."
He said, "We are keen on implementing these rules and regulations
because we should enlighten the public that cleaning the city by
eradicating mosquito breeding areas is better than short-term mosquito
prevention measures like incorporating the BTI bacteria or mosquito
fogging."
Piyaratna said that in helping the public to clear garbage and
eradicate dengue, the authorities will continue to introduce recycling
techniques to encourage the public to separate their garbage and dispose
it in an environmentally-friendly manner.
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