Sri Lanka: Let's work together to defeat the pandemic

We were able to successfully manage the first wave of the COVID-19 virus due to the actions that we took at that time. Such stern decisions had to be made at that time because there were no other options available at that time.

Text of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's special address to the nationThe accepted opinion of the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of medical experts and according to the global standardized methodology is that the vaccination is the only solution for the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why, I made a special commitment to bring in vaccines to Sri Lanka in the recent past.

I personally spoke to the Heads of Governments in countries like China and India. I personally wrote letters to several other Heads of State.

Discussions were held with vaccine producing countries through our Foreign Ministry, Ambassadors and High Commissioners. Our officials coordinated with vaccine manufacturing companies.

ll these efforts were made because I wanted to vaccinate all the people of our country.As a result of this effort, the country is now receiving a large number of vaccines that we need monthly.

Initially, we received the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in India.Afterwards, we were able to get the Sinopharm vaccine manufactured in China, but the administration of the vaccine to the public was delayed for about a month due to the delay in getting the vaccine approved by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

Nevertheless, the Government took measures to administer Sinopharm vaccine continuously since May 8 this year. In addition, we have received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines from the United States, the AstraZeneca vaccines from Japan, and the Sputnik vaccines from Russia, placing us among the countries that administer the highest rates of COVID-19 vaccines to its people.

As at the 19th of this month, a total of 12,019,193 vaccine doses have been administered as the First Dose.Meanwhile, fifty one million twenty four thousand one hundred and eighty five (5,124,185) vaccines have been administered to the people as the Second Dose.

In addition, we have approximately three million doses of vaccines to be given as the Second Dose. Another 3 million doses will be received later in this month.

At present, about 98% of the people who are above the age of 30, have been vaccinated while 43% have been given the both doses. By August 31, more than 81% of the population will be able to receive the second dose.

By 10th of September, 100% can...