High Commission of India
Colombo
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Press Release
High Commissioner calls on Hon’ble Speaker
The High Commissioner of India called on Hon’ble Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena at his residence on 17 February 2021. He conveyed his greetings and good wishes to the Speaker and complimented Sri Lankan authorities for their efforts in combating COVID-19. He appreciated the smooth manner in which vaccination drive was being carried out in Sri Lanka and expressed happiness at India playing an instrumental role in supporting Sri Lanka on this front. He recalled the gesture of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa personally receiving the gift of 500,000 doses of made-in-India vaccine and reiterated that ongoing strong cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in jointly fighting the pandemic would continue.
2. The High Commissioner stressed that India and Sri Lanka share democratic values and traditions, and it is a matter of honour for India to deploy its capabilities in the services of the people of Sri Lanka and their elected representatives.
3. High Commissioner also witnessed Hon’ble Speaker being vaccinated with vaccine gifted by India at the Army Hospital in Narahenpita in Colombo in presence of Army Commander General Shavendra Silva.
4. It may be recalled that, guided by ‘Neighbourhood First’ and SAGAR policies, India has gifted millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine to neighbouring countries, and those in the Gulf and Indian Ocean since 20 January 2021. In addition, several millions of doses have also been exported to countries as far away as Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific among others.
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Colombo
17 February 2021
