Sri Lanka has become malaria-free. There were 95, 49 and 36 cases reported in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively, all contracted outside Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka expanded the coverage of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets to protect high-risk populations, and used multiple methods to reduce mosquito numbers. Sri Lanka was close to eliminating malaria in 1963, when it reported just 17 cases. Sri Lanka joins the ranks of 34 countries that have been certified malaria-free since the 1960s.

Source: The Hindu September 07, 2016 19:41 UTC