The Sri Lankan government announced the country’s army, navy, air force and police are to be deployed across the island later this month, to inspect and clear buildings for potential mosquito breeding sites to tackle dengue fever.
The announcement was made by the director of Sri Lanka’s National Dengue Prevention Unit Specialist Dr Hasitha Tissera who said residences, government buildings and schools would all be searched as part of the operation.
Sri Lanka’s troops have been involved in running medical clinics, classes in schools, selling groceries and providing haircuts since the end of the armed conflict in 2009.
Last month an army spokesperson said that troop numbers would not be reduced and instead stated that security forces were “greatly involved in many development projects in various parts of the country”.