Sri Lanka has been unable to secure Covid-19 vaccines for rollout according to the original time- bound plan because of the failure on the part of Serum Institute of India to deliver the committed stocks of doses, a Minister said.

 

The inability to deliver the agreement amount is attributed to the emergency Covid-19 crisis in India.   

 

Sri Lanka planned to purchase as many as 10 million doses this year for mass rollout, but only 500,000 doses were delivered.  

 

India also donated 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy. 

 

State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana told Daily Mirror that the Serum Institute of India committed to supply 500,000 doses of its AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines on February 21, and similar consignments respectively on March 21 and April 21.

 

Besides, the Minister said it had committed to deliver 3.5 million jabs in the third quarter of this year and another five million in the last quarter.  

 

“We counted on India as the main vaccine supplier for Sri Lanka.  We had signed agreements to procure ten million doses. But only, 500, 000 jabs were delivered on time. It means it is only five percent of the committed amount. We fully understand the worsening Covid-19 situation in India,” he said.

 

Asked about cooperation with other vaccine producers, he said a dispatch of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine would be sent next Tuesday. Besides, he said China had confirmed the delivery of another consignment, but the date had not yet been confirmed.

 

“We heard of the confirmation from Beijing. But, the date is yet to be confirmed,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)