BTI bacteria to fight dengue

The Ministry of Health has decided to import the larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) bacteria again to use against the dengue mosquito menace in the Colombo district. According to Ministry source, at a discussion held in the Ministry under the patronage of the secretary of the Ministry, Nimal Jayathilake, the officials decided to seek the support of the Sri Lanka Air Force to spray BTI using helicopters. BTI from Cuba was used earlier in areas of Kandy and Ja-Ela for prevention of dengue.Despite best efforts of the Government health authorities to prevent the breeding of the mosquito larvae, the mosquito-borne disease is spreading in the country.

At a discussion held recently the officials had pointed out that the inspection of buildings in Colombo is extremely difficult since 80 per cent of them are multi-storied buildings. The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry say during the last eight months of the year 2012, 25,679 suspected dengue cases have been reported to the Unit from all over the country. Out of the total 6,299 cases were from the Colombo district.

Be alert to the increasing threat of dengue especially during the rainy season.

Take measures to keep all premises clean by conducting regular checks on possible mosquito breeding places such as gutters ,ponds and drains where clean water is collected.

The dengue mosquito breeds in clear, clean water that collects even in small quantities in empty cans,yoghurt cups coconut shells,tyres and even bottle caps. Be sure to discard of these items properly without leaving room for the spread of the dreaded dengue virus that costs lives .

2012 Paralympics:

Inspirational human feats end today

The Summer Olympics may be great but the Paralympics is definitely greater because it portrays the incredible spirit of of remarkable people, who have gone to amazing lengths and often overcome great adversity to get there.The extraordinary athletes pushing the boundaries, are truly great examples of inspirational human feats.

The 2012 Paralympics which was declared open with a spectacular three hour opening ceremony dubbed "Enlightenment", on August 29 , at the Olympic Park in east London will come to an end today with yet another breathtaking closing ceremony to mark the triumph of the human spirit.

The Paralympics were conceived at the 1948 London Olympics by German neurologist Ludwig Guttmann, who had opened a spinal injuries centre at Stoke Mandeville in England for injured World War Two soldiers.On the day of the opening ceremony in 1948, Guttmann held the first archery competition for wheelchair athletes.

The London Paralympics hosted the highest number of athletes since their official birth in 1960 at the Rome Games, with 4,280 athletes representing over 164 nations compared to 400 participants from 23 countries in the Italian capital.Those competing in London this time round considered the 'homecoming' after 64 years incredible.

London's Paralympic Games kicked off with the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking - a man who has never let his immobility hold him back - taking centre stage to lead spectators on a "voyage through time" highlighting major scientific discoveries as well as the long and often arduous fight for equality by disabled activists and athletes.

The Paralympic flame was lit when24 year-old Joe Townsend, a Royal Marine Commando who lost both his legs after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan,made his dramatic entrance flying the Paralympic flame into the stadium on a zip wire from the 376-foot-tall Orbit tower overlooking the Paralympic venue.

He handed the torch to the veteran Paralympian footballer David Clarke, who in turn gave the final honour of lighting the cauldron to Margaret Maughan, winner of Britain's first ever Paralympics gold medal at Rome in 1960. The Queen of England officially declared the Paralympic Games open during the show.

The athletes from s were given a central role in the performance. They made their way around the stadium, some hobbling on prosthetics, others used walking canes and wheelchairs. One Belgian sprinter arrived with her guide dog Zenn riding on her lap.

The Sri Lankan comtetitors

Sir Philip Craven, a former wheelchair basketball player and the president of the International Paralympic Committee, hailed the games as "a celebration of the development of the human spirit, a celebration of the Paralympic Movement coming home, and of dreams becoming reality".

He told the thousands of amassed Paralympians: "You are all catalysts for change and role models for an inclusive society."

Music was a large part of the ceremon.Once the flame was lit, the grand finale was left to Beverly Knight,

Lizzie Emeh and Caroline Parker to perform I Am What I Am, a celebration of individuality from the riotously camp musical La Cage Aux Folles, with the audience encouraged to sing the words using sign language.

Sri Lanka sent a seven-member team to compete in the Paralympic Games in London and they are determined to win the first ever Paralympic medal for the country,The team's captain PA Lal Pushpakumara, lost his left leg after he stepped on a land mine. He has served in the army sports unit ever since and is the world's number four ranked high jumper in the F44 category, one of the groupings used at the Paralympics to organise events according to competitors' levels and types of disability.

Lal Pushpakumara first competed in the Beijing 2008 Games.

The seven member team comprise five members of the military and a woman, are among the team member.

They are Pradeep Sanjaya, Lal Pattiwila, Dumeera Maduranga . Amara Indumathi, Lesly Liyanage, Upali Rajakaruna and D.M. Gamini.