The Minister said this today (04) at the cabinet decision media briefing held at the Department of Government Information.

Responding to a question asked by a journalist regarding Government's plan on the vaccination program, Minister Pathirana asserted that currently, the Government is waiting for the approval of the World Health organization for the Chinese Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use and that a considerable amount of doses are available in the country at the moment. Thereby, if WHO gives the approval, another six hundred thousand individuals can be immunized.

In addition, the Minister said the Government is receiving fifteen thousand doses of Sputnik V from Russia and expects to receive more in the future while starting to immunize the public with the said vaccine.

He further added that it's very clearly shown in the vaccinated areas like Colombo and Gampaha, the intensity is much lesser in congested areas, yet for the time being we have to ensure the curtailing of the spread of the virus. However, the best mechanism to curtail the spread of the pandemic is the vaccination drive, he said.