Drive for hygienic Vesak dansal

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has initiated a special system to register ‘dansal’ during the Vesak season to give better facilities to the general public by improving the standards of dansal hygiene, CMC health sources said. CMC Chief Medical Officer Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam had instructed health officers, food inspectors to initiate the programme.

“There are six CMC medical officers, divisions and organisers who can be contacted by those who wish to register their dansal. Our programme does not bear legal overtures. We are carrying out this programme for the benefit of people who would visit dansal during Vesak,” CMC chief food inspector Lal S. Kumara said. Accordingly, CMC health officers would inspect the location of the dansal prior to their commencement from the

angle of all round hygiene. “We will conduct inspections to satisfy ourselves that the place chosen is suitable to operate a dansala. The location should be tidy and have a source of clean flowing water. Alternatively, the organisers should have clean water stored,” Kumara said. He said that the locations of dansal in Pettah and Fort were usually unhygienic and that the CMC would not permit such dansal this year. He said two special teams, each comprising a medical officer, a food inspector and other health officers, would be deployed to inspect dansal as and when they begin to function. “Dansal organisers have been advised to use fresh vegetables and fruits when cooking and making drinks. They should also use clean pots and dishes and disposable plates, cups and lunch sheets,” he said. and put an end to using them,” he said adding that inspections would be carried out reg

ularly.