COLOMBO (News 1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Sunday (25) said the final solution to combat COVID-19 globally is through vaccination.

“The government is in possession of a streamlined process to provide the vaccine to Sri Lankans and in order to overcome the challenges, as it was done during the first wave, the people must follow the guidelines issued by the health officials,” stressed the President.

According to a statement from the President’s Media Division the Sri Lankan government has taken measures to import 04 COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organizations.

“Sri Lanka first imported the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and administered it to 925,242 people. The second dose of the vaccine will be given in May 2021 to 356,000 individuals including frontline health workers, personnel from the three-armed forces and Sri Lanka Police,” the statement noted adding that the Sri Lankan Government is already in talks with world bodies producing the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to further import the vaccine to meet the country’s requirement.

The President’s Media Division also listed out the vaccines that are arrive in Sri Lanka;

Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine:

200,000 doses by the end of April
400,000 doses in May
800,000 doses in June 2021
1,200,000 doses in July 2021

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers already approved to purchase 13 million doses of the Russian vaccine.

China’s Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine:

600,000 doses of the Chinese Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine gifted to Sri Lanka will be administered to Sri Lankans once the World Health Organization gives the green light.

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine:

The Sri Lankan government has already entered into terms with regard to purchasing the vaccine.

The President’s Media Division noted that following the Public Health Protocols is essential to prevent the spread of COVDID-19.

Imposing a lockdown at present would have a grave and negative impact on the lives of the people and the economy, said the PMD adding developing countries like Sri Lanka cannot resort to such measures.

• US welcomes Sri Lanka’s IMF package; Ambassador says structural & lasting reforms are critical
• IMF to release US $ 333 Mn immediately to Sri Lanka under bailout package
• IMF approves Sri Lanka’s bailout package under EFF; Sri Lanka can access up to $ 7 Bn
• Cabinet gives ‘Approval in Principle’ for divestment of shares in SLT & Lanka Hospital
• Xi arrives in Moscow to meet Putin