Close watch on Poson dansalas

by Carol Aloysius

The Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Union has appealed to all pilgrims visiting religious sites during Poson to carry drinking water from home to minimise the risk of water bowel-related illnesses.

“Water-borne communicable diseases such as diarrhoea and dysentery are on the rise due to floods and Dengue is also spreading in the country. Therefore, we called upon the public to use boiled water from home when they go on a long journey, and avoid littering their surroundings with small containers that attract the dengue vector”, Treasurer, Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Union D.S.S.R. Mudalige told the Sunday Observer.

He said that the Union had also told people organising Poson dansalas to ensure that the food and water served is hygienic.

“Although it is not a legal requirement, we have called upon organisers to register themselves with their Local Councils and seek advice before setting up these dansalas. “We are also educating those organising dansalas where drinks are served using safe water, boiled or chlorinated”, Mudalige said.

Around 900 health inspectors will be deployed to inspect dansalas islandwide and visit pilgrim sites during the Poson Week.