COVID-19: SL seeks Chinese vaccine

President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a letter to the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping has sought access to Chinese vaccine against COVID-19, the Foreign Ministry has said.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the People’s Republic of China Dr. Palitha Kohona had made this statement when he presented a copy of the credentials to Director General of the Department of Protocol Hong Lei at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China earlier this week.

The Foreign Ministry has said in a media statement: “Dr. Kohona briefed Hong on the Covid-19 and the current economic situation in Sri Lanka and also his priorities during his tenure in China. He also referred to the letter written by the President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, seeking access to Chinese vaccines.

“Hong said that Chinese companies will be encouraged to engage with Sri Lanka as it continues to open up for trade and investment and the government of China will decide soon on the distribution of the vaccine.”

Meanwhile, health authorities have said Sri Lanka is likely to receive what is known as the Oxford vaccine manufactured in India.