COLOMBO, June 14 -- Sri Lanka has recorded more than 41,000 dengue cases so far this year, with health authorities warning that infections are likely to rise further as monsoon rains create favourable conditions for mosquito breeding across the country.

According to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), a total of 41,144 dengue cases have been reported nationwide since the beginning of the year, while the number of dengue-related deaths has increased to 24.

Health officials said 7,302 cases were reported during the first 13 days of June alone, indicating a sharp increase in daily infections and raising concerns about a possible surge in cases in the coming weeks.

The NDCU warned that the ongoing south-west monsoon is expected to acc...