Former Prime Minister and the Leader of the United National Party, Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to make necessary arrangements to ensure that the Indian produced Covid vaccine is made available as soon as possible for the benefit of all Sri Lankans.
At a time when all countries in the region are entangled in a severe crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wickremesinghe had emphasised the importance of closer economic bilateral relations between the two nations.
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks during a meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister at the official residence of the Indian Ambassador today (07).
The meeting between the Indian External Affairs Minister, who is on a two day official visit to Sri Lanka, and UNP Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was special as they were not scheduled to meet, diplomatic sources said.
The cordial and extensive discussions between former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Indian External Affairs Minister had focused on the challenges both countries are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Jaishankar had told Wickremesinghe that he had already discussed the Indian produced vaccine with the Sri Lankan government and had pledged to prioritise Sri Lanka when the vaccine is ready for export.
Appreciating the gesture, the former Prime Minister had reiterated the need for close cooperation between India and Sri Lanka especially during these difficult times.
The cordial and extensive discussions between former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Indian External Affairs Minister had focused on the challenges both countries are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Jaishankar had told Wickremesinghe that he had already discussed the Indian produced vaccine with the Sri Lankan government and had pledged to prioritise Sri Lanka when the vaccine is ready for export.
Appreciating the gesture, the former Prime Minister had reiterated the need for close cooperation between India and Sri Lanka especially during these difficult times.
