Sri Lanka spends up to Rs 600 million annualy for the control of rabies and treatment, the Helath Ministry said today.
Public Health Veterinary Services (PHVS) Director Dr. L.D. Kithsiri told a news conference that annually 300,000 to 350,000 persons were admitted to hospitals with dog bites.
He was addressing the press as part of a programme to mark the Rabies day which falls today,
He said that in the 1970s there 350 to 380 deaths caused due to rabies, but now the figure has dropped to 20 to 30 per year.
He said according to the World Health Organisation by 2025 Sri Lanka can record zero rabies deaths.
Dr Kithsiri said that inorder to reach zero rabies deaths about 70 per cent of the dogs should be given the anit-rabies vaccine.
He said the dogs should be vaccinated between 4 to 6 weeks and thereafter given the second dose in six months. The vaccine should be repeated annually.
Ishara Sewwandi, the main suspect wanted for the shooting inside the Aluthkade No.05 Magistrate’s Court premises which killed alleged underworld figure ’’Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’’ has been arrested in Nepal.
The Gaza war started on October 7, 2023, following the Hamas attack on a southern Israeli border town. Some 1200 people died, while Hamas took 250 Israelis as hostages.
History often has a way of repeating itself, sometimes by shaping similar personalities that seem destined to converge
On his second death anniversary, we pay our deepest respect and heartfelt tribute to General Lionel Balagalle, an illustrious son of Sri Lanka, a noble soldier, and an exemplary leader whose vision, dedication, and humility have left an indelible mark on the Sri Lanka Army and our nation.
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