There has been very little published research on the taxonomy, geographical distribution, prevalence and biology of sandflies in Sri Lanka, which is grossly inadequate to implement a control programme. Even though an action plan has been drawn by the Ministry of Health in 2008 from control, it has not become a practical effort since many of the health staff involves in control activities rather do not have a proper knowledge on the disease. Given the importance of leishmaniasis vectors, investigations on the biology and behaviour of these insects should be integrated into routine of public health services, especially in areas where the disease is endemic. The studies on sandflies are essential to determine the fauna, their distribution, population dynamics, involvement in transmission and ultimately for building up cost effective methods for disease control.Colonies of insect vectors are suitable for a wide range of investigations, from basic biological aspects to applied research. Laboratory colonies are essential to understand sandfly physiology, epidemiology of Leishmaniasis, and parasite vector-host relationships. There is no proper insectary in Sri Lanka which maintains the medically important sandflies for experimental research purposes as described above.

Therefore, this project focuses to establish facilities and techniques for the maintenance medically important leishmaniasis vectors. Thereby, key research areas such as physiology of sandflies, epidemiology leishmaniases, parasite vector-host relationships, systematic of leishmaniasis vectors, vector biology and vector bionomics will be studied in detail. Hence, the establishment of a sandfly colony at a laboratory setting would be an useful effort to study about the above aspects which, no adequate studies performed in Sri Lanka up till now. This study may add new information to the existing knowledge of leishmaniasis disease in Sri Lanka, which would also facilitate to adopt appropriate control measures upon evidence based approaches. Further, the proposed laboratory will be expanded as a training and research centre with sufficient material and facilities for experimental research on leishmaniasis in the country. A reference collection of sandflies will be established at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. The collection will be opened for entomologists and scientists who are willing to do future studies relevant to medical entomology.

The studies on sandflies are essential to determine the fauna, their distribution, population dynamics, involvement in transmission which ultimately are useful for building up cost effective methods for disease control. The vector(s) of the disease is yet to be confirmed apart from some recent studies showing the vectorial capacity of Phlebotomus (Euphlebotomus) argentipes indicating it as a vector. Therefore, proper identification of vector species is of paramount importance. Unfortunately, the number of sand fly species present in the country is still suspicious. There has been very little published research on the taxonomy, geographical distribution, prevalence, resting, breeding, host preferences and biology of sandflies in Sri Lanka, which are grossly inadequate to implement a control programme. Some studies have shown that the level of awareness of the disease among the local population is very low and some people have never heard of the disease even though they are living in an endemic area.

Given the importance of Leishmania vectors, investigations of the biology, behavior, distribution and population dynamics of these insects should be integrated into routine of public health services, especially in areas where the disease is endemic. Further, immediate actions are essential in order to increase the scientific knowledge about the disease and a higher effectiveness in the patient management. Therefore, the present research funded by the National Research Council (NRC 16-142) of Sri Lanka will enable to reduce the knowledge gaps related to the above aspects.

Principal Investigator