Russia ready to provide COVID-19 vaccine to SL

• Sri Lanka to respond after discussions with health authorities
• Russian President Putin’s daughter also vaccinated

By Kelum Bandara 

Russian Ambassador Yury B. Materiy, who called on Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane proposed the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by his country to Sri Lanka.  

He congratulated the minister on his appointment. The Minister told Daily Mirror the Russian envoy expressed his willingness to introduce the vaccine for the use of Sri Lankans and requested the Sri Lankan government to get in touch with the line agencies in Russia if interested in obtaining the vaccine.   

Sri Lanka is expected to respond after consultations with the country’s health authorities.   

Russia, recently announced it had developed the first-ever vaccine to fight the coronavirus with the embassy circulating a tweet by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the vaccine against the virus was registered. He tweeted that the vaccine works effectively and forms a stable immunity. President Putin’s daughter was also vaccinated, according to foreign media.   

• Putin tweets stating vaccine is effective
• Russian envoy expresses willingness to introduce vaccine for use of Sri Lankans