It was only a few days ago that all of us were alarmed, worried and panicked about dengue. Now we have forgotten all about it, in the usual Sri Lankan style.

Our experience is that, however much we try to keep our home environment clean, swams of mosquitoes attack us at dusk. We do not use mosquito coils; we have to keep our fans on, not only at night, but also during the day time. If the fans are not on, we just cannot sleep .

Why are we suffering like this ?

The underground drainage system in Colombo is said to be over 100 years old. There are pools of stagnant water underground, which breed mosquitoes by the million, particularly during the dry season. No amount of spraying on the ground can remedy this situation. In any case, too much insecticide is bad for environment. CMC has to modernize its dilapidated drainage system, if its aim is to eradicate mosquitoes in Colombo.

Further, CMC health inspectors must visit schools, building sites, markets and eating houses, etc. They must conduct raids and prosecute those who have mosquito breeding places in their gardens. We hardly see these inspectors nowadays.

But, what is most important is that the CMC must clean the drains, canals, waterways and other public places which are very filthy. Do the inspectors visit these places? Why no one is being prosecuted in respect of these places?

I wish to ask the Mayor of Colombo why only the poor individuals are prosecuted. Why not prosecute the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for filthy canals?

Either, CMC should clean up these places, or take legal action against the owners of such property. Closing a school for a few days will not help anyone.

My opinion is that we must hold CMC responsible for the spread of dengue and filaria in Colombo.

Over to you, Mayor Prasanna Gunawardene. Perhaps you may close down the Town Hall for a few days as punishment !

M. A. Cader
Wellawatte