SL to obtain US $ 100mn supplementary loan from WB to procure COVID-19 vaccines

The government plans to obtain a US $ 100 million supplementary loan facility from the World Bank to procure 14 million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and to finance the other costs related to vaccination.

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Tuesday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to obtain the US $ 100 million supplementary loan facility, under the programme of strategic preparation and response to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.

The Government Information Department noted that the World Bank has already agreed to provide the loan facility.
“The World Bank has agreed to grant a supplementary loan of United States dollars 100 million for emergency response to COVID-19 and preparation of health sector project, under the programme of strategic preparation and response to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka,” it stated. 

The government plans to widen the vaccination target to 60 percent of the country’s population after securing new financing for the vaccination  drive.