Sri Lanka, Jan. 29 -- Sri Lanka reports 1,500-2,000 leprosy cases annually, with about 12% affecting children under the age of 15, health authorities said today. Moratuwa has recorded the highest number of pediatric cases in recent years, according to officials.

The announcement was made during World Leprosy Day, organized by the Leprosy Eradication Campaign of the Health and Mass Media Ministry at the Princess of Wales' College auditorium in Moratuwa.

Dr. Chathurarya Siriwardena, Dermatologist at the Central Leprosy Clinic of Colombo National Hospital, said that the highest numbers of leprosy and pediatric cases have been consistently reported from Moratuwa, with significant numbers also in Piliyandala, Ratmalana, and Batticaloa. The W...