2 January 2021 06:49 am Views - 2498
India is happy to work together with friends and partners like Sri Lanka to bring to people the benefits of an effective and safe vaccine against the deadly pandemic,a spokesman said yesterday.
Earlier, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga said Sri Lanka would seek a bilateral arrangement with India, as a vaccine manufacturing country, to get doses for a mass roll-out.
In response, a spokesman for the Indian High Commission said cooperation between the two friendly countries continued strong despite the hurdles posed by COVID-19.
“The relationship benefitted from regular leadership level interaction and guidance. The spirit of engagement was evident in endeavours such as assistance in the form of essential medical supplies from India, two-way repatriation of stranded people, handling medical emergencies, organising custom-made capacity building modules, sharing of best practices etc. Both sides are keen on upscaling mutually beneficial collaboration, including in respect of fighting health, economic and other challenges posed by COVID-19. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced in his UNGA address last September that India’s vaccine will be for the humanity. India would be happy to work together with friends and partners like Sri Lanka to bring to our people the benefits of an effective and safe vaccine against this deadly pandemic,” he said.
India is one of the largest vaccine manufacturers in the world. India has already started trials in four states in preparation for a mass inoculation programme this month.(Kelum Bandara)