02nd batch of Sinopharm vaccines administered from Wednesday (26)

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials to administer the second back of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine to the public from Wednesday (26).

Sri Lanka received the second back of 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from the government of the People's Republic of China as a gift to support the vaccination program of Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines flight UL869 carrying 500,000 doses of Sinopharm Vaccines arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport at 12:05 on Wednesday (26) morning.

The vaccines were officially handed over by the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhen Hon to Sri Lankan Health Minister Pavithra Vanniarachchi upon arrival.

Sri Lanka received the second free batch of Sinopharm COVID vaccines as a result of the discussions between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Chinese Government.

The Chinese Ambassador told the Sri Lankan officials that another 02 million doses of the vaccine ordered by Sri Lanka will reach the country in a month while China is ready to make a further donation of essential medical equipment and supplies.

In addition, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the Sri Lankan government hopes to locally produce the Sinovac vaccine within the next two months.