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India assures supplies of AstraZeneca vaccine to Sri Lanka contrary to media reports

Published

5 years ago

2021/04/6

India has assured that export of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines would continue, contrary to media reports. The Indian High Commission in Colombo said that the spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry set the record straight.

The following is the text of a statement issued by the IHC, Colombo: “I would like to draw your attention to the response given by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India in New Delhi on 2 April 2021. He very clearly said that the Government of India has not imposed any export ban on COVID-19 vaccines. In fact, supplies to many countries in various regions of the world have taken place last week also.

Sri Lanka is among 80 countries to which a total of over 64 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines made in India have been supplied, as bilateral gift, through COVAX facility and on commercial orders many of which were placed last year. No country has shared with the world COVID-19 vaccines in such a large quantity while vaccinating its own population.

Arrival of duly approved AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines as a gift from India in January this year enabled vaccination against the dreaded pandemic in Sri Lanka begin ahead of earlier plans. As a close friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka, India ensured that the people of Sri Lanka start benefitting from India’s global prowess in vaccine production within days of launch of COVID-19 vaccination in India itself.

More than 1.25 million doses of made-in-India COVISHIELD vaccine have so far been delivered to Sri Lanka. Production of COVID-19 vaccines in India is being ramped up further to meet domestic requirement and global demand.

Supply of COVID-19 vaccines by India under VaccineMaitri embodies India’s abiding commitment to utilize its globally renowned vaccine manufacturing capacities in fighting COVID-19 pandemic for larger global good.

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INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities

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Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.