10 February 2022 03:32 pm Views - 8292
Former Sri Lanka cricket captain and ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Roshan Mahanama said he had to face difficulties in clearing security to board the flight to Pakistan as he did not possess a vaccine card with all three vaccines from Sri Lanka.
In a statement Mahanama said he had received his 1st COIVD vaccine in Sri Lanka while the 2nd and 3rd doses were from the UK as he was in the country due to family commitments.
After facing the unfortunate incident, he has requested the health authorities to resolve issues pertaining to Covid vaccine cards so that people do not have to face such difficulties and be rendered helpless.
He faced this incident while attempting to travel to Pakistan to officiate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022.
Full statement:
I had to face an unfortunate incident at BIA, before travelling to Pakistan to officiate in the PSL 2022.
Despite having all 3 doses of an approved vaccination, I faced many difficulties in clearing security to board the flight.
I received my 1st vaccination in Sri Lanka. When it was time for me to receive my 2nd and 3rd vaccinations, I was in the UK due to some family commitments.
Since we were advised by the UN to get our vaccinations on time, I took my 2nd and 3rd vaccinations in the UK.
Having been responsible and taking the vaccinations on time did not necessarily help me, as the health authority in Sri Lanka refused to issue me the full vaccination certificate as I had not taken the 2nd and 3rd vaccines in Sri Lanka.
Many individuals are travelling around the world, especially international students, and it is mandatory to receive the full dose of an approved vaccination to travel, regardless of where it was taken.
I believe our authorities need to take better steps in mitigating these sorts of issues so that people do not have to face such difficulties and be rendered helpless.
I only want to raise awareness on this matter and I hope the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka will rectify these issues in the not-so-distant future.
https://t.co/FSbeQTnUNt pic.twitter.com/GHKFEswiXR
— Roshan Mahanama (@Rosh_Maha) February 10, 2022