MRI gets fully automated PCR machine to detect COVID-19

The International Rotary Club has donated a fully automated PCR machine to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) of Sri Lanka to expedite the diagnosis process of COVID-19, the President’s Media Division said.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been briefed about the operational aspect of the new PCR machine at the Presidential Secretariat today.

The PMD said the value of the new instrument is over Rs.22.2 million.

“It is significant that this new machine will help to mitigate human resource shortage in conducting medical testing. Doctors say that the new machine ensures high speed, high accuracy and efficiency. It has the ability to identify different kinds of viruses that may emerge in the future, as well,” it said.

The Rotary Club has donated over Rs. 120 million to provide medical research equipment and facilities to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

President Rajapaksa has expressed his gratitude to the representatives of the Rotary Club, for their donation.

Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Health Ministry Secretary Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director of Medical Research Institute Sri Lanka Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, Rotary District Governor for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Sebastian Karunakaran, former Chairman Mr. K. R. Ravindran, Proposed Chairman Pubudu De Zoysa and representatives of the Rotary Club were present at the occasion.