A firearm was discovered inside a house in Pelawatte, Battaramulla, during a special inspection carried out under the National Dengue Control Programme, Ada Derana reported.
The operation was conducted on Tuesday (July 22) by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) attached to the Battaramulla Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Office, with support from the Sri Lanka Army, the Sri Lanka Air Force, the Sri Lanka Police and the Sri Lanka Red Cross.
According to Ada Derana, the house was found to be in an extremely unhygienic condition and home to a large number of dogs. During the search, officials discovered live mosquito larvae along with the firearm. Police subsequently took custody of the weapon and arrested the female homeowner in connection with the find.
At a separate residence where mosquito larvae were also detected, a heated exchange reportedly broke out after the homeowner allegedly obstructed the inspectors as they carried out their duties.
Legal action has been initiated against 13 people found maintaining premises with mosquito breeding sites, with cases to be filed before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court.
Health authorities renewed their appeal for the public to destroy potential mosquito breeding grounds without delay and to cooperate with officials working to curb the spread of dengue. Inspection drives have intensified across the Colombo district as case numbers climb, with teams empowered to prosecute households that fail to clear stagnant water and other breeding sites.
