News
Who withheld crucial letter from Sinopharm for approval of vaccine?
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd, the maker of Sinopharm vaccine responded to questions posed by the Expert Committee appointed, on March 17, to make recommendations for importing the Covid-19 vaccine to Sri Lanka, by April, but the Committee had been presented with requested answers only on 06 May, a day before the WHO approved the use of the vaccine, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) President Dr. Lakkumar Fernando said yesterday.
Dr. Fernando is a member of the Expert Committee.
“There are many allegations that we delayed approving Sinopharm. This is false. We indeed approved vaccines, which had not been hitherto approved by the WHO, to be used in Sri Lanka. Even the Covishield vaccine had not been approved by the WHO when we gave the nod. The same is true of Sputnik-V,” he said.
Dr. Fernando said that on 17 March they had handed the NMRA a set of questions to be sent to the makers of Sinopharm. On 19 March, there had been an NMRA board meeting on the vaccine. Dr. Fernando was a board member of the NMRA at that point.
“Four of us objected because the expert committee had not approved the vaccine. The board has 13 members. That means there were nine others apart from us. Six of them had been recently appointed by the government and the others were officials. They could have taken a vote and approved Sinopharm. Instead, they appointed another committee to look into Sinopharm. So, from 19 March to 06 May the initial expert committee had been sidelined with regards to Sinopharm.”
Dr. Fernando said that on 06 May afternoon they had been given a document containing answers sent by the makers of Sinopharm. The WHO was to approve Sinopharm a few hours later.
“We approved Sinopharm within 24 hours. However, when we later looked at the document sent by makers of Sinopharm, we saw that they had responded by April. So, why was this letter withheld from us for weeks, even a month? How can they accuse us of delaying the approval of Sinopharm?”
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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