Colombo - A 16-year-old Sri Lankan boy became the first victim in the country of influenza A(H1N1), or swine flu, doctors said Sunday.

The Medical Research Institute in Colombo confirmed the boy, whose name was not disclosed, was the first fatality from swine flu, which was detected in Sri Lanka in June.

Health Director in the central region of Kandy, Shanthini Samarasinghe, said the boy was taken to a hospital there last week and died on Thursday.

"The boy had a history of respiratory problems and he died four days after admission to Kandy hospital," Samarasinghe said. - AFP