Sri Lanka, June 24 -- Sri Lanka has launched a three-day islandwide dengue control programme today (24) as health authorities race to contain the rapid spread of the disease, which has infected close to 50,000 people and claimed 28 lives so far this year.

The special programme, which will run until Thursday (26), will be carried out in 600 high-risk Grama Niladhari divisions identified as dengue hotspots during the ongoing southwest monsoon season.

The campaign will focus on eliminating mosquito breeding sites through coordinated clean-up operations and public awareness programmes involving government institutions, schools and local government authorities.

A circular outlining short-term dengue prevention measures has already been is...