Sri Lanka, Oct. 26 -- Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament that the high population density in Colombo city has become a major factor in the spread of tuberculosis over the years. Responding to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahman last Friday, he pointed out that the failure of some infected persons to seek proper medical treatment has contributed to it spreading further.

"A total of 871 tuberculosis patients were reported from Colombo city in 2019. It decreased to 736 in 2020. However, the number had increased again to 796 in 2021. The number of patients that were reported subsequently increased to 1,093 in 2022 and 1,130 in 2023, and it had again decreased to 1,0...