19,185 ‘Dansal’ registered for Poson Poya

A total of 19,185 ‘Dansal’ have been registered across the island, in line with the Poson Poya Day celebrations, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

According to the Health Ministry, the number of ‘Dansal’ registered across the country as follows: 944 in Colombo, 1,792 in Gampaha, 977 in Kalutara, 1,264 in Kandy, 812 in Matale, 352 in Nuwara Eliya, 1,186 in Galle, 1,021 in Matara, 533 in Hambantota, three in Jaffna, three in Kilinochchi, 17 in Mullaitivu, 21 in Vavuniya, two in Mannar, nine in Batticaloa, 584 in Ampara, 14 in Kalmunai, 152 in Trincomalee, 2,114 in Kurunegala, 731 in Puttalam, 2,301 in Anuradhapura, 650 in Polonnaruwa, 968 in Badulla, 716 in Monaragala, 1,097 in Rathnapura, and 922 in Kegalle.

Meanwhile, a special set of guidelines has been issued by the Director General of Health Services for those organising ‘Dansal’ for Poson Poya.

These guidelines include the registration of ‘Dansal’ with health authorities, data collection by public health inspectors, ensuring the personal hygiene of food preparers, hygiene practices for food handlers, the health status of food handlers, raw materials used, food preparation, waste disposal, awareness of food safety and inspection protocols to ensure food hygiene and safety.