SLAF INTENSIFIES ISLANDWIDE COMMITMENT TO THE NATIONAL DENGUE PREVENTION PROGRAMME
According to the Directives of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health, the SLAF has significantly intensified an island wide Dengue Prevention Programme, mobilizing personnel across the country in close coordination with respective Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Offices.
In recognition of this national commitment, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, on 05 July 2026, appointed Director General Ground Operations, Air Vice Marshal Vajira Senadheera, as the Overall Coordinator of the SLAF Dengue Prevention Programme. A dedicated Steering Committee was subsequently established under his stewardship at Directorate of Ground Operations, with Director Special Operations, Group Captain RDMP Ranrajeewana, appointed as its Secretary. To ensure sustained oversight, a Dengue Prevention Operation Room was established at the Directorate of Ground Operations on the same day.
Priority attention has been directed toward the high-risk districts of Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara, where SLAF Base Katunayake, SLAF Station Bandaranaike International Airport, SLAF Trade Training School Ekala, SLAF Station Sri Jayewardenepura, SLAF Base Ratmalana and SLAF Station Katukurunda have been tasked with conducting focused prevention activities. As directed by the Ministry of Defence, five key areas, Negombo, Piliyandala, Seeduwa, Ja-Ela and Kalutara have been entrusted to designated establishments for continuous engagement.
In addition, SLAF teams are extending support to numerous other locations island-wide, including the University of visual & Performing art Colombo, The Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Bere Lake Area, Temple Trees, Seeduwa (Railaway Station), Liyanagemulla - South (Railaway Station), 18th Mile Post (Railaway Station), Katunayake - South (Railaway Station), Wettumakada Schools, Negombo Hospital, Black Pool Nuwara Eliya and general areas such as Sigiriya, Ambalathota, Thilippalai, Manmunai North, Kilinochchi, Thissamaharamaya, Tangalla, Beliatta, Walasmulla, Kundasale, Kuruduwatta, Kirimalai, Baticola, Battaramulla, Debara Wewa, Ganithapura, Ambepussa, Warakapola, Katuwana, Vavunia Municipal Council, Dambulla Municipal Council, Manikhinna, Aranayake and Rabukkana, upon requests made by respective Regional Directors of Health Services.
Since the inception of the programme, the SLAF has committed 1,488 personnel to this national effort, engaged in the identification and elimination of mosquito breeding sites, environmental cleaning campaigns and community awareness activities.
In recognition of this national commitment, the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, on 05 July 2026, appointed Director General Ground Operations, Air Vice Marshal Vajira Senadheera, as the Overall Coordinator of the SLAF Dengue Prevention Programme. A dedicated Steering Committee was subsequently established under his stewardship at Directorate of Ground Operations, with Director Special Operations, Group Captain RDMP Ranrajeewana, appointed as its Secretary. To ensure sustained oversight, a Dengue Prevention Operation Room was established at the Directorate of Ground Operations on the same day.
Priority attention has been directed toward the high-risk districts of Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara, where SLAF Base Katunayake, SLAF Station Bandaranaike International Airport, SLAF Trade Training School Ekala, SLAF Station Sri Jayewardenepura, SLAF Base Ratmalana and SLAF Station Katukurunda have been tasked with conducting focused prevention activities. As directed by the Ministry of Defence, five key areas, Negombo, Piliyandala, Seeduwa, Ja-Ela and Kalutara have been entrusted to designated establishments for continuous engagement.
In addition, SLAF teams are extending support to numerous other locations island-wide, including the University of visual & Performing art Colombo, The Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Bere Lake Area, Temple Trees, Seeduwa (Railaway Station), Liyanagemulla - South (Railaway Station), 18th Mile Post (Railaway Station), Katunayake - South (Railaway Station), Wettumakada Schools, Negombo Hospital, Black Pool Nuwara Eliya and general areas such as Sigiriya, Ambalathota, Thilippalai, Manmunai North, Kilinochchi, Thissamaharamaya, Tangalla, Beliatta, Walasmulla, Kundasale, Kuruduwatta, Kirimalai, Baticola, Battaramulla, Debara Wewa, Ganithapura, Ambepussa, Warakapola, Katuwana, Vavunia Municipal Council, Dambulla Municipal Council, Manikhinna, Aranayake and Rabukkana, upon requests made by respective Regional Directors of Health Services.
Since the inception of the programme, the SLAF has committed 1,488 personnel to this national effort, engaged in the identification and elimination of mosquito breeding sites, environmental cleaning campaigns and community awareness activities.
