31 March 2021 12:10 pm Views - 2631
600,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccines arrived in Sri Lanka from China this morning.
The vaccines were handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong.
At a ceremony held at the Bandaranaike International Airport to accept the vaccines, State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government for the donation.
He also thanked China for assisting Sri Lanka during the coronavirus pandemic.
The State Minister said that despite several obstacles faced over the past week in attempts to secure the Chinese vaccine, officials were able to ensure the vaccines arrived in Sri Lanka today.
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong said that China was always prepared to assist Sri Lanka, especially during times of need.
He appreciated the decision taken by the Sri Lankan Government to permit the vaccine to be first administered to Chinese nationals based in Sri Lanka.
Several Ministers, including Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and State Minister Sudharshini Fernandopulle were present at the occasion. (Text and pics by Jamila Husain)