COLOMBO: With cases of dengue rising sharply, the Sri Lankan police along with defence forces today arrested 53 persons from Colombo for failing to prevent breeding of mosquitoes around their homes.

"Some 11,000 household were checked in the special campaign and 53 persons were arrested for having dengue mosquito breeding grounds," police spokesman superintendent, Ajith Rohana said.

Health officials also assisted the police and defence forces in the operation which was carried out between 9am and 4pm.

Health authorities searched the residential areas for stagnant water, which is they key for mosquito breeding ground, he said adding, they will prosecute people who ignored the measures to keep the environs free of mosquito breeding grounds.

During the first six months of the year, there were 11,300 dengue patients and 76 deaths in the country.

This marks a three-fold increase in number of dengue cases over the last year.