Sri Lanka on Thursday joined the list of the nations that received COVID-19 vaccines from India under its VaccineMatri initiative. Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay today officially handed over vaccine consignment to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapakshe in Colombo.

Under its Vaccine Matri initiative, India provided five lakh doses of Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Sri Lanka as grant assistance. The initiative was announced by India on Tuesday last week but the delivery has been delayed as the Sri Lankan health authorities delayed the necessary regulatory approval for the vaccine.

“A dependable partner, a reliable friend. Made in India vaccines reaches Sri Lanka now,” tweeted Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapakshe thanked India and Prime Narendra Modi for the “generosity” shown toward the people of Sri Lanka at this time of need. 

Earlier this month, when Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapakshe asked for his assistance in procuring the COVID-19 vaccines for his nation. At the time, the Indian foreign minister assured him of vaccine supplies on a priority basis. 

Sri Lankan government reportedly has also been in touch with China and Russia for the covid vaccines, local media reported.