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It’s dansal time again: Be wary of those soft drinks as rains come down
The Public Health Inspectors’ Union has requested the public to be cautious when consuming food and drink at Poson dansals as the prevailing weather could result in the spread of water borne diseases.
The union’s secretary Senarath Bandara said that strict guidelines on the importance of using clean water have been given especially to organisers of soft drink dansal.
Popular during vesak and poson seasons: A soft drink dansala. File pic
Emphasising the importance of not using well water to prepare food and drink in flooded areas, Mr. Bandara said, MOH offices held preliminary discussions with registered dansal organisers regarding the hygienic preparation of food and drink.
“Drinks should be prepared using boiled water and mallum should be avoided or be thoroughly cooked and served, to avoid the spread of water borne diseases,” he said.
Mr. Bandara said it was impractical and impossible to restrict dansals serving soft drinks and the only alternative was to be vigilant that properly boiled and filtered water was being used.
Giving a word of advice to pilgrims this season, he said to take sufficient water from home and avoid drinking from outside.
He said it was important that dansal organisers ensured a clean environment during and after the dansal as leftover plastic bins and cups were ideal mosquito breeding grounds during the rainy season. He also warned against dumping left over food that attracted flies.
Mr. Bandara said while dansal organisers have been given strict guidelines, PHIs (Public Health Inspectors) will be carrying out inspections to see whether the guidelines were being followed.
In Anuradhapura where a large number of pilgrims are expected during the Poson season teams comprising about 15 PHIs from the Municipal Council and members from the Public Health Inspectors Union will be on duty while separate teams will be deployed in Mihintale, Mr. Bandara said.
PHI Nuwan Kulatunge from the Anuradhapura MC said the Water Board will be supplying water to the plastic tanks installed at religious sites and the dansals.
At the conclusion of Poson activities Municipal staff will be deployed to clean up the areas, he said.