Four schools in the Deniyaya Education Zone have been temporarily closed following the outbreak of a viral illness similar to influenza, which is currently spreading within the area under the jurisdiction of the Medical Officer of Health Division in Deniyaya. Deniyaya Zonal Director of Education, Nishaka Hettigoda, confirmed that the closures were implemented to prevent further transmission of the virus among students.  The affected schools are Deniyaya National School, Deniyaya Saint Matthew’s Bilingual School, Deniyaya Rajapaksa Vidyalaya, and Siddhartha Primary School in Pallegama. The schools will remain closed for two days, today (07) and tomorrow (08).

The decision was made following instructions from the Southern Provincial Governor’s Office to safeguard public health and prevent an escalation of the outbreak.