Sri Lankan Universities Move Lectures Online Amid Escalating Dengue Outbreak

Facing one of the island’s worst dengue surges, the University of Colombo announced that several lectures will be delivered online. The move follows temporary closures at the University of Moratuwa and the University of the Visual and Performing Arts. The National Dengue Control Unit has recorded 65,034 cases nationwide this year, with Colombo accounting for roughly one-fifth of infections and 45 deaths reported as of July 8, 2026.

The Hindu

Since May, the University of Colombo alone has logged 71 student cases. Public health officials attribute the current rise to debris left by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck in December 2025 and caused over 600 fatalities. Comparisons are being drawn to the 2017 epidemic, the country’s largest, which produced 186,101 cases. Authorities have deployed a military-led monitoring team, intensified drone surveillance, fogging operations, and community clean-up campaigns to curb mosquito breeding.

The Hindu

University Vice Chancellor Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake explained that the shift aims to let affected students rest while offering other faculties hybrid options. A senior official from the National Dengue Control Unit emphasized that tri-forces and police support have bolstered inspections and public awareness, but warned that a realistic assessment will require at least two weeks, given the vector’s incubation period.

The Hindu

• “The Faculty of Arts saw more cases of fever, some of which could even be viral or chikungunya.” — Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo

The Hindu

• “The Faculty of Arts saw more cases of fever, some of which could even be viral or chikungunya. The students were concerned, so we decided to shift to online lessons. The decision is not entirely to do with the current spread, but it is to allow students to rest and recover. We are giving other faculties the option of hybrid lessons,” — Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake

The Hindu

• “The tri-forces and police have helped us intensify inspection, including through drone cameras, clean up campaigns, fogging operations and awareness,” — Senior official, National Dengue Control Unit

The Hindu

• “We need to wait for about two weeks, considering the incubation period and life cycle of the vectors for a realistic assessment. While we are doing our best, the situation is still challenging,” — Senior official, National Dengue Control Unit

The Hindu