Health officials raise alarm over hygiene standards at Dansals

PHIs intensify monitoring of hygiene practices

Published 24 May 2024 02:24 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 23

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Colombo, May 24 (Daily Mirror) - As relentless rainfall continues, health authorities are sounding the alarm on hygiene standards at dansals during the Vesak festival.

A senior official from the Health Ministry disclosed to the Daily Mirror that they have instructed local Medical Officers of Health and Public Health Inspectors to intensify monitoring of hygiene practices at dansals.

Furthermore, health authorities have issued a public notice urging immediate reporting to the nearest Medical Officer of Health or Public Health Inspector if any food served at dansals is deemed unsafe or unfit for consumption.

Despite regular inspections conducted by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) during the Vesak festival, Head of the PHI Union Upul Rohan told Daily Mirror that certain dansals have failed to meet the required hygiene standards.

“We will take necessary action against operators of the such dansals,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Inspectors Union noted a decrease in the number of dansals this year due to adverse weather conditions.

Comments - 23

Comments - Health officials raise alarm over hygiene standards at Dansals

Health officer Friday, 24 May 2024 05:21 PM

Maintaining the highest public health standard is vital to our country. Our habits of washing our backs, call for enhanced hand hygiene. One should use soap and water every time after using the toilet facilities. This should be made compulsory.

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Dr KT Friday, 24 May 2024 10:32 PM

I m a Peradeniya University graduate. Believe me 99% did not wash hands after pooing. They did not carry soap to toilet, that means they would not have washed their backs too properly. I was surprised of our people and felt disgusted every morning. Yet they know how to do pickets, show the pathway to politicians

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Assigning Task Accordingly Saturday, 25 May 2024 03:45 AM

Absolutely. Ideal wearing gloves should be hygienic. However, if someone uses the same hands in gloves to scratch the face / hair etc, carriers utensils / equipments etc, no point wearing gloves. Those serving food strictly need to wear a facial mask or spit guard, gloves and NOT involved in other activities. If for any reason something else was done besides serving food(visiting the toilet), need to replace the gloves and mask. All other tasks should be assigned to someone else besides serving food.

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Smh Friday, 24 May 2024 06:41 PM

I grew up in a remote village. Back then the villagers were very clean even as they were poor. They bathe, dress well in clean redda-hatte or shirt-sarong. Hair was tied in a bun or the men combed it neatly. They cooked in a dara lipa but they were very conscious about personal cleanliness and hygiene of food utensils.

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Mila Friday, 24 May 2024 09:20 PM

I was in kandy today. Why is it difficult to prepare food with gloves on? Why these people cutting mangoes without gloves? Government should give these people gloves. Only the guy who sold cotton candy today was wearing gloves. Hands are not clean most of the time and also they sweat. Tourists also would like it more if they wear gloves when prepare food.

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Pulu kaka Friday, 24 May 2024 10:33 PM

The way people celebrate is so disgusting, the quality has deteriorated a lot

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Cutting cost But Still Serving The Community Saturday, 25 May 2024 03:53 AM

Times are bad for most. Having a complimentary meal goes a long way for most who are living from hand to mouth. Organisers too feeling the pinch and will cut cost. Those well off and having sufficient funds will feel piggish seeing such activities. If only they can contribute to these events, quality will improve. When you are hungry, nothing else matters!

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S. K Saturday, 25 May 2024 08:14 AM

I do agree. Many people forgot the real meaning of Vesak and why we celebrate. Many parties have become the ones for alcohol or drug addicts. Even dansals, if can't provide good quality food, better just stop certain dansal. Continue only if they really wish to offer merit. As it's not compulsory, stopping unhealthy dansals would be better than giving diseases and sending them to hospitals.. Other religious people also have similar practices, but usually done voluntarily and only if they wish to, and able to. What we can't eat by ourselves, shouldn't be shared with others.

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Citizen Saturday, 25 May 2024 12:07 AM

Nice timing buddies. Now most Danasals are over. Germs have spread all over the country.

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professor ranasingh Saturday, 25 May 2024 02:49 AM

my home town NEGOMBO is so filthy i cannot even go there . i work in u.k. now the drains in town are not cleaned for years . and the smell is disgusting, the water is stagnated

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Not Only Now. Always The Same Situation Saturday, 25 May 2024 01:20 PM

Surprised you are providing feedback only now! It’s been like that for years. Lucky your area has drains whereas in other places, no proper drainage. Where there are drains, most are clogged up until a heavy downpour flushes all the muck off. It’s an acceptable norm in SL I guess with the authorities and people turning a blind eye on most situations.

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P Kunchithapathan Saturday, 25 May 2024 03:45 AM

Vesak is a deeply sacred annual event observed by almost everyone in our country. The celebration is marked by Vesak Pandals, Dansals, and vibrant decorations that play a vital role in signifying the event's importance. In line with the adage "prevention is better than cure," it is imperative for the health department to take proactive measures. Health officials should be deployed to personally visit communities and provide health guidelines well in advance of the celebrations. Additionally, Health Inspectors should visit Buddhist temples to meet with the chief monks, distributing printed brochures and handouts that outline essential health guidelines. These materials should be directed towards individuals and groups involved in organizing Dansals in their respective areas. By taking these steps, we can ensure that Vesak is celebrated safely and healthily, preserving the well-being of all participants.

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Rip Winkle Saturday, 25 May 2024 08:11 AM

Couple of thousand bucks and the problem is taken care of.

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Cherath Saturday, 25 May 2024 08:16 AM

I think people should start making roti, symbol and coconut milk with gloves on. Disposable gloves aren't expensive and can be used many times. It's thoroughly off putting to see wayside vendors making and selling roti while jabbering away non stop, obviously generating a thin spray of saliva in the process. Wearing a mask would be ideal.

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Terrence K Saturday, 25 May 2024 08:35 AM

Sri lankans don't care for hygiene only they want something free as we are used to getting things free. Correct me if i am wrong dansals basically catered to the public coming from outstations for sightseeing to refresh them now it has turned the opposite. Now the people in the same area are the first beneficiaries to enjoy at these dansals. Before Vesak some take the initiative to go around collecting money and when the list is given we see the highest amount tops the list which motivates others to follow suit to maintain their worth in the area. Monies expended for dansals is very much less to the amount retained for the organizers to put a booze and enjoy the evening with the motto wine, women and song and thereafter go in tuk tuks to have their fun. These activities are a mere Vanity not in keeping with the doctrine of the Blessed One!!!!!!!

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Jude Saturday, 25 May 2024 09:59 AM

Don't worry it's Free food, so is diarrhea!!

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Lanka - Only country that conduct free Dhansalas Saturday, 25 May 2024 10:06 AM

Despite all these adverse comments, I found Dhansals were full. One place was giving away food parcels and these parcels vanished in no time. Is it because this is the only time they have stomachful. This is the Era we need more reasons for Dhansals, not only for Vesak.

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ANNECUNT Sunday, 26 May 2024 04:03 AM

this is what SLPP is going to do get your vote , first loot our money then with that money give food parcel chicken Buriyani and bottle of Arrack to get our vote

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Tissa Fernando Sunday, 26 May 2024 08:36 PM

@Anncunt, once your dream party comes into power you can ban these Dansals.

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Sunanda Karunaratna Monday, 27 May 2024 07:23 AM

Well said. We must comment in good faith.

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Ashokan Saturday, 25 May 2024 10:36 AM

Dansals....Queues are there as if people have noting to eat or not had a proper meal for 3 months, or they do it for fun. Fun turns into misery when you get sick

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ANNECUNT Sunday, 26 May 2024 05:56 PM

NEGOMBO THE NEW RESTHOUSE NEAR THE SEA IS FULL OF FLIES IN THE KITCHEN

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Danny Monday, 27 May 2024 01:22 AM

In Trinco, Police arrested four for NOT giving Congee to remember some, but because, as they told the court, it was unhealthy. So these guys will be in court and the law enforcement agencies are working efficiently. lol

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