China to donate 300,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO -- China will donate 300,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Sri Lanka to jointly fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement from the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said Wednesday that China made the decision after a recent request by the Sri Lankan government.

The vaccine doses are expected to be handed over to the Sri Lankan side in mid-February after the due procedures in both ends are completed, the statement said, noting that the vaccine is manufactured by the China National Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd (Sinopharm).

As an inactivated vaccine, it better ensures the safety of vaccines, and could be easily stored and transported at a regular fridge temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, the statement said.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's senior advisor Lalith Weeratunga told journalists in capital Colombo earlier Wednesday that presently the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) was conducting tests on the Sinopharm vaccine and once clearance is obtained from them, this vaccine could be used under an emergency basis.