• 1.5 million people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 within the past three days
• Health Ministry is ready to give booster doses to relevant groups after recommendations are received

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Ajith Siriwardena 

More than 75 per cent of the population, who are above 30 years of age, have now been fully vaccinated in Sri Lanka, Army  Commander General Shavendra Silva said. 

He said nearly 1.5 million people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 within the past three days and authorities will continue the vaccination drive. 

Earlier, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that citizens above 30 years of age will be given both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by September 10.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director General of Health Dr. Hemantha Herath said the Health Ministry was ready to give a booster dose to relevant groups after recommendations are received
"We have no issue in giving a booster dose. we can give it to the relevant groups after the recommendations are received as to who should receive it and when to give. what we need is to procure the required doses," he said.
Dr. herath said it was important to formulate a mechanism in advance and it had to be implemented for public transport soon after the lockdown was released.

"It will not be easy to control the spread of the disease if we fail to put in place a proper plan for public transportation as our public transport modes are heavily congested. without such a plan, we will have no other option, than to lockdown the country once again," he said.

Dr. Herath said it was also important to follow health practices at the places of worship. “katina pinkamas’ will be organised at buddhist temples in coming weeks. it is very important to follow health practices when organising such religious events,” he said.

• It will not be easy to control the spread of the disease if we fail to put in place a proper plan for public transportation as our public transport modes are heavily congested