Colombo needs the pied piper

14 February 2013 03:47 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is to speed up its Rat Control Program (RCP) in the city due to the noticeable increase in the number of rodents that have made some market places in the city their home.

The municipality stated that the RCP which had been established 15 years ago had received additional manpower last December, after a sharp increase in the number rodents were reported within city limits.

CMC Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam stated that the increased rat population has been identified around Colombo Port, Manning Market, the railway line along Maradana and Borella, where most of them were market places. It is suspected that these rats might have arrived through the stocks of cargo ships via Colombo port.

Dr. Pradeep said “The public can control this increase through proper storage of foods and disposal of garbage, securely closing the garbage bins, filling the rat holes with cement and using rat traps in homes. RCP includes destroying the rats via poisoning. Rat traps aren’t commonly used in Sri Lanka as it is an expensive measure”.

There are greater chances in the areas with paddy fields and canal overflow for the spread of rat fever.

Yet, there were 9 patients who were affected with rat fever identified last year in Colombo city but none has been identified so far in 2013, he said.

The public are advised to avoid going out barefooted during rainy days as there were possibilities for the spread of rat fever if the rain water was polluted with the urine of rats. The public could complain of the areas where the high rat population was high so that the CMC could carry out RCP, said Dr. Pradeep. (Benislos Thushan)

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Comments - 18

osanda Thursday, 14 February 2013 06:54 AM

These Rodents are not the real trouble, but the rodents in the Parliament, who are eating us from inside daily. that is worst than the rat fever

echo Friday, 15 February 2013 12:00 AM

hi, we need immediately a Minister of Rats! via DM Android App

Rosh Friday, 15 February 2013 05:24 AM

Why what about Chinese cats? Perhaps there are still some cats remaining after being consumed by some Chinese.

Modawansa Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:45 PM

They're all rats as far as I'm concerned!

Russel Thursday, 14 February 2013 09:30 PM

we need more cats

tasty Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:46 AM

Yum...

Lets cook them they taste good...

Add Comment Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:26 AM

It will be difficult to find the Pied Piper but you may find loads of people to do the mayor's role

rakesp Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:08 AM

good move....but not only for real rats........to other rodnents too!

Yuri Thursday, 14 February 2013 07:37 AM

First Clear the Rats in Parliament its easy !

Justice Seeker Thursday, 14 February 2013 05:01 AM

They eat my soap and i go to office dirty and get scolded.

Kodithuwakkuarachchi Thursday, 14 February 2013 06:42 AM

This also calls for the usual solution: increase taxes of the ships docking at Colombo port so as to save Colombo from rodents.

Sri Lanka is the only country that imposes taxes on imported food so as to safeguard the local farmers. ALL other countries give subsidy to the local farmer and make them compete against imports.

darshana dissanayake Thursday, 14 February 2013 06:28 AM

saw a dead big fat rat near liberty cinema yesterday..had a pair of good looking teeth though

Rata Haraka Thursday, 14 February 2013 06:21 AM

Yes, Anton. We first have to deal with all the Rats in Parliament.

Lobo Thursday, 14 February 2013 06:08 AM

Ha ha. Don't worry, soon there will be a Minister for rats.

ANTON Thursday, 14 February 2013 06:05 AM

Piper will first perform in the parliament.

ANTON Thursday, 14 February 2013 05:59 AM

WELL.. WE WILL IMPORT SOME CATS FROM CUBA.

Yehiya Thursday, 14 February 2013 05:33 AM

Before that go for flies.

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 14 February 2013 05:11 AM

No wonder with so many rats jumping off the sinking ships nowadays!

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Colombo needs the pied piper

Comments - 18

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