Four schools in the Deniyaya Education Zone that were temporarily closed due to a rapidly spreading flu outbreak among schoolchildren will remain closed for two additional days.

Deniyaya Zonal Education Director Nishaka Hettiarachchi said the decision had been taken on the recommendation of health authorities as a measure to control the spread of the illness.

Accordingly, Deniyaya Central College, Deniyaya Rajapaksha Maha Vidyalaya, Deniyaya St. Matthew’s Bilingual Maha Vidyalaya, and Pallegama Siddhartha Vidyalaya will remain closed tomorrow (11) and the following day (12).

The four schools were initially closed on 7 and 8 May following the rapid spread of the flu-like illness among students.

Southern Province Education Secretary N.K.R. Pathirana stated that the closure had been extended based on health sector advice, after considering the continued spread of the illness among students in the affected schools.