Malaria eradication enters final phase

An epidemic which decimated a large number, with as much as 40% of Sri Lankans falling victim to malaria at one time, malaria eradication has entered the final stages with the Anti Malaria Campaign and Sarvodaya, which has its roots in the Sooriya Mal campaign launched in 1960, taking leadership in its eradication.

Defined as a social disaster that ravaged Sri Lankan rural life severely on more than one occasion, its history dates back centuries with an early description found in a report prepared by the Dutch in 1638 about the Southern Province, a 300-year-old Dutch map shows an area laid bare due to a fever.

Malaria, known as jungle fever (kala una), spread abundantly in jungle areas of the dry zone. Many regions became uninhabited and turned in to jungles. Historical evidence finds malaria one reason for some kingdoms falling in to non-existence.

A study over recent decades shows malaria has had a massive impact that disrupted country life through sickness and death. In year 1934 when the Sri Lankan population was less than a quarter of the current 20 million, the official death count was as much as 80,000.

Productivity too suffered a massive setback as workers, though having resisted and recovered, were for a long time after in a physically weak state.

The Anti Malaria Campaign has eradicated malaria with the exception of a small number of pockets in five districts of Sri Lanka. One unhappy result of this success is that public and official attention on malaria has dimmed. Since malaria raises its head when conditions are conducive, experts call for vigilance even when it is no longer a threat.

Proving the point, the number of cases of malaria had drastically reduced, with only a few cases reported each year for three decades, the number of patients increased alarmingly, reaching an unprecedented 200,000 cases reported in 2000 causing around 100 malaria deaths.

The Anti Malaria Campaign carried out by the State coupled with voluntary activists sharing knowledge with people, the number of reported patients was hurriedly brought down to a manageable 1,500 by 2005 and number of deaths limited to five.

Not a single death due to malaria has been reported during the last seven years and only 700 patients have been diagnosed with malaria. The overwhelming number of patients at present is identified as living in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Monaragala Districts.

Although subdued to a great extent, the parasite causing malaria is known to revive at a moment’s notice and wreak havoc on societies and therefore, activists believe we are repeating our past mistakes, if we keep mum when this disease is silent or unawakened.



The Anti Malaria Campaign of Sri Lanka which understood well of this situation has identified eradicating malaria from Sri Lanka completely by the year 2014 as its target. Added to this, Sarvodaya Community Health Division as well as NGOs host programs activated to eradicate malaria from Sri Lanka are carried out under the direction of the Sarvodaya Community Health Division. It is sponsored by the global fund providing financial support to the eradication of Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Project GFATM.

Accordingly a series of activities are in progress including educating the community, destroying breeding places of mosquitoes and distribution of medicated mosquito nets among people living in areas in danger from malaria.

“Earlier this year, health walks engaging the public and seminars held at the towns of Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa, Kilinochchi, Batticaloa and Monaragala successfully created awareness and educated the community about malaria. A seriously enthusiastic participation of volunteers and general public was evident. A host of activities are ongoing with the sponsorship of Sarvodaya in areas where malaria is rampant,” said an official of Sarvodaya.

Some activities engage the public in community action to stop the spread of malaria parasite by destroying the breeding places of mosquitoes. Under this programme abandoned gem pits are re-filled, and in others, fish varieties that eat mosquito worms are reared. Additionally, insecticides are sprayed in areas malaria is rampant. Abandoned wells and waterways are also made safe.

As part of the education programme, the importance of regularly taking blood tests is stressed. The Anti Malaria Campaign recommends regular blood tests for malaria whether the symptoms are there or not, as the malaria parasite lies dormant in the system without displaying symptoms or effect.

After diagnosis the importance of completing the prescribed dose of medicine right to the end even after the basic symptoms disappear earlier is emphasised for the benefit of potential victims through an annual calendar, posters, leaflets, lectures, workshops as well as alternate media such as diaries and school exercise books carrying anti malaria messages.

People returning from travel abroad and foreigners are also potentially in danger of contacting and bringing in the disease. Particularly for travellers returning from countries in the African continent and India where malaria is prevalent, a special programme has been launched by Sarvodaya to educate travellers before departure and after their return. They are advised to take a course of treatment consisting of anti malarial tablets while facilities have been provided to get checked after returning.

Another recent initiative has seen anti malaria pamphlets attached to visas, recalling to travellers the dangers of malaria. Posters displayed in departure lounges of the airport urge returnees to get an urgent blood check and preventive treatment.

Sarvodaya, meaning “revival of all people” in Sanskrit, has emerged as the largest national non-public sector movement in Sri Lanka, as well as among those engaged in the anti-malarial effort.

A movement that started in one single village 51 years ago, Sarvodaya performs a pivotal role in uplifting community life in 15,000 Sri Lankan villages, through hands-on initiatives deeply involved in implementing campaigns at grass roots level. Its focus and obligation towards building good health in people, Sarvodaya’s contribution is mainly active in other fields which include micro loans, child care and providing humanitarian aids to those who suffered due to the war.

Sarvodaya movement, initiated by Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, a world renowned social leader, continues his work and philosophy under the direction of social leaders of a new generation, with a similar intent to provide less privileged people of Sri Lanka to ability to stand up to a better tomorrow.