• SL is among 80 countries to which over  64 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been supplied
• No country has shared with the world  COVID-19 vaccines in such a large quantity while vaccinating its own  population

By Kelum Bandara   

Allaying concerns about the possibility of shortage of COVID-19 vaccine for the second roll-out, India said yesterday it had not  imposed any export ban on COVID-19 vaccines and production of COVID-19  vaccines in India was being ramped up further to meet domestic  requirement and global demand.   

A spokesman for the Indian High Commission made these remarks in response to media queries about the matter.   

He said he would like to draw the attention to the response  given by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India  in New Delhi on April 2, 2021. He said the supplies took place last week  to many countries across the globe.   
“Sri Lanka is among 80 countries to which a total of over  64 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines made in India have been supplied,  as bilateral gift, through COVAX facility and on commercial orders many  of which were placed last year. No country has shared with the world  COVID-19 vaccines in such a large quantity while vaccinating its own  population.   
The arrival of duly approved AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines as a  gift from India in January this year enabled vaccination against the  dreaded pandemic in Sri Lanka began ahead of earlier plans.   

As a close friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka, India ensured  that the people of Sri Lanka start benefiting from India’s global  prowess in vaccine production within days of the launch of COVID-19  vaccination in India itself.   

More than 1.25 million doses of made-in-India COVISHIELD  vaccine have so far been delivered to Sri Lanka. Supply of COVID-19  vaccines by India under Vaccine Maitri embodies India’s abiding  commitment to utilise its globally renowned vaccine manufacturing  capacities in fighting COVID-19 pandemic for larger global good,” the  High Commission spokesman said.   

Earlier, Lalith Weeratunga, principal advisor to the President, engaged Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay in this regard.          

• More than 1.25 million doses of made-in-India COVISHIELD  vaccine have so far been delivered to Sri Lanka