World Rabies Day is commemorated annually on September 28.
The DG explained that seven persons were bitten by the two dogs, and the government has commenced contact tracing to identify those involved.
Ms Okoli said, “Rabies is one of the oldest known diseases and remains one of the deadliest.’’
Ms Opalola said it is an offence if any dog gets loose and bites anybody outside the compound.
“It is, therefore, imperative that the sector be given the utmost priority in national economic policies and future budgets.”
Health officials on Wednesday said rabies might spread rapidly in Sri Lanka in 2023 due to vaccine shortages.
