Foreign Envoys get Covishield jab

By Dilanthi Jayamanne

Afghan Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ashraf Haidari, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley, and staff of foreign missions in Sri Lanka were administered the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine, yesterday (22), Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), General Shavendra Silva said. 

Speaking to the Media, General Silva said, in addition to the MPs, vulnerable groups in the judicial service and members of the clergy were also being vaccinated against COVID-19.  

He said communities living in high-risk areas, which have detected a large number of COVID-19 patients in the Western Province were currently being administered the vaccine. Kolonnawa, Gothatuwa, Moratuwa, Egoda Uyana, Hanwella, Pitakotte and identified areas within the Colombo City Limits, from the Colombo District, Attanagalla, Biyagama, Divulapitiya, Dompe, Gampaha, Ja-Ela, Katana, Kelaniya, Mahara, Mirigama, Minuwangoda, Negombo, Ragama, Seeduwa, Wattala, Manning Market, and the Peliyagoda Fish Market were prioritised from the Gampaha District. Also, from the Kalutara District; Agalawatta, Bandaragama, Matugama, Panadura, Horana, Beruwala, and Kalutara were given precedence. 

Meanwhile, State Minister for Primary Healthcare, Infectious Diseases, and COVID-19 Control, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, said those above 30 years of age, willing to receive the vaccine, should inquire from their area Medical Officer of Health (MoH) in this regard. They would be informed of their suitability.