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Private sector not allowed to import Covid vaccine: Govt.

27 January 2021 01:15 pm - 9     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The private sector will not be allowed to import the coronavirus vaccines, the Government said. 

Some private institutions had offered to import the vaccines as they have the storage facilities. 

However, Presidential Advisor Lalith Weeratunga said that, at the moment it has been decided that the private sector will not be allowed to import the vaccine. 

He said that private hospitals will also not be allowed to import and sell the vaccines. 

Weeratunga also said that there has been a request from the private sector to even purchase the vaccines for the virus from the Government. 

He said that some companies want to purchase the vaccine to administer to their employees. 

Weeratunga said that the Government has however not agreed to the request. 

He said that the Government will take full responsibility for the vaccines. 

Weeratunga, who is heading the process to procure the vaccines, said that the intention of the Government is to provide the vaccines free of charge to the public. 

He said that the Government will sign indemnity agreements with the suppliers of the vaccines. 

As a result, the Government will need to take full responsibility of the vaccines after it arrives in Sri Lanka.(Easwaran Rutnam)


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  Comments - 9

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  • Sivakumar, Jaffna Tamil Wednesday, 27 January 2021 01:37 PM

    This is a very wise move by the President to keep the private sector out of all of these. The private sector is motivated by their greed for money and money alone. I hope this decision could be enacted into law , so that the private sector is sidelined permanently in every national medical crisis in the future.

    Another Jaffna Tamil. Wednesday, 27 January 2021 03:26 PM

    I agree with the comments but Jaffna Tamils prefer the Chinese stuff to the Indian

    Selvakumar Wednesday, 27 January 2021 01:41 PM

    Health ministry how's will be manage with sri Lankan population with corona vaccine ??

    Jeeves Wednesday, 27 January 2021 01:43 PM

    Very good decision! Vaccines should be rolled out directly to the people, without any profiteering.

    Idiot boy. Wednesday, 27 January 2021 03:01 PM

    Good Decision. Dont give to private clinics,

    Bushel Wednesday, 27 January 2021 03:06 PM

    Very good. But once success of the vaccine is established don't say my brother or my farther in law also can import the vaccine

    Mahesh Wednesday, 27 January 2021 08:40 PM

    So, that means the Pfizer and Modana vaccines which are much more effective than Astrazeneca vaccine will never come to Srilanka. Very sad.

    nimal Wednesday, 27 January 2021 09:04 PM

    What's wrong with private hospitals importing this vaccine and letting a private citizen vaccinating himself their own money? Is this vaccine any different from other vaccines private hospitals import? Does it reduce the supply to the Government? No. Government doesnt even want to import the 2 vaccines made in USA. Wouldnt it better for the country to let more people vaccinate with their own money and reduce the infection rate? Looks like Government wants to hold on to the covid monopoly and drag the COVID situation as long as they can. Please dont use covid for diplomacy and politics. You are playing with people's health.

    Nimal Thursday, 28 January 2021 04:56 AM

    Well said, must allow the private sector to import if people could afford.


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