Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

HE the President received the First Consignment of COVID-19 Vaccines

January 28, 2021

HE the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa received the first consignment of the Indian government-gifted Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines today morning (Jan 28) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

High Commissioner of India HE Dr Gopal Baglay officially handed over the first consignment to President  Rajapaksa.

Following the request made recently by President Rajapaksa, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted the vaccines and it was dispatched to Sri Lanka by the Air India flight A1 281.

This gift reflects the long-standing healthy relationship and goodwill between India and Sri Lanka.

The vaccine will be given to frontline health workers, Tri-Force personnel, Policemen on priority basis.

Ministers, Principal Presidential Advisor, Foreign Ministry Secretary, Chairman, Colombo Airport, Head, National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Director General of Health Services, Director General Customs and several other senior officials were present at the location.

A special memento was also awarded to the President by High Commissioner of India symbolizing the event.

Courtesy : www.army.lk