India to supply COVID vaccine to Sri Lanka on a priority basis
Visiting India FM and Sri Lankan President also discuss need to revive tourism
By P.K. Balachandran
COLOMBO – India is ready to give priority to Sri Lanka when supplying to other countries the vaccine now being produced in its laboratories to contain the COVID 19 virus, External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (6).
Jaishankar, who arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday (5) for a two-day visit, called on President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday.
Commenting on the future course of action to control the COVID-19 pandemic during the ensuing discussion, President Gotabaya stated Sri Lanka would like to obtain the COVID vaccine, which is being produced by India, following an accurate assessment of the need for the vaccine.
Dr. Jaishankar agreed to give priority to Sri Lanka when his country begins exporting the vaccine. Both the president and the Indian minister agreed to further enhance Indo – Sri Lanka bilateral relations so as to maximize mutual benefits.
In addition to the ongoing projects carried out in Sri Lanka with the assistance of India, several other areas for cooperation development were identified during the discussion. The East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port, LNG power plant, construction of houses and roads, development of agriculture and research, communication technology and development of alternative energy sources are of among them.
Stating that Sri Lanka possesses a youth generation equipped with formal education, President Rajapaksa sought India’s support to provide them with proper vocational training in various fields. When specific needs of Sri Lanka are known, India is willing to assist vocational training programs, the Indian minister said, noting that Indian aid has already been received to utilize solar power as an alternative energy source and that India would be able to provide further financial and technical assistance in the future.
Both parties expressed views on the need to revive the tourism sector which was crippled in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic.
“The Maldives continues to attract tourists following the bio-bubble method. A large number of Indians have already gone there. People like to travel in order to get rid of the stress caused by the pandemic. Hotels in New Delhi are now brimming with Indians. We can encourage them to visit Sri Lanka,” Dr. Jaishankar said.
It was decided to hold a joint discussion with India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Nepal as soon as possible to determine possible course of action for the revival of the tourism industry.
Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lankam Gopal Bagley, Joint Secretaries to the External Affairs Ministry of India Amit Narang and Dr. Shilpak Ambule, Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga and the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Ministry Admiral Jayanath Colombage were also present during the discussion.
-ENCL