The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Santhush Woonjin Jeong, at a ceremony held in the State Ministry of Health on October 3, 2021, handed over emergency medical supplies including Syringe pumps, Infusion pumps and nebulizers as a part of the 500,000 USD worth Anti-COVID donation to the Sri Lankan government with the participation of the State Minister of Health, Prof. Channa Jayasumana.
This donation will help assist combat COVID-19 and will help strengthen Sri Lanka’s readiness to respond to public health emergencies.
During the handover ceremony, Ambassador Santhush and the State Minister, Prof. Channa Jayasumana engaged in a constructive meeting on the national response to COVID-19 of Sri Lanka. The State Minister, Prof. Channa Jayasumana was grateful to the Korean Government and the Korean Embassy for the generous contribution to support Sri Lanka to deter the spread of COVID-19. This goodwill gesture will strengthen the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
Ambassador Santhush commented on the close public health collaboration between Korea and Sri Lanka. He mentioned since his arrival in Sri Lanka last July, Korea and Sri Lanka have been strengthening anti-COVID collaboration with each other.
While commending Sri Lanka for the effective national response to contain COVID-19 by implementing a successful vaccination drive, he emphasized the importance of mutual public health cooperation as part of the global effort to combat COVID-19.
He stated, “Sri Lanka has managed to drastically reduce the daily cases of COVID-19 thanks to the efficient and well planned vaccination drive. The Korean Government wishes to extend its fullest support and cooperation in coordinating the response to the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Under the Stay Strong campaign, in partnership with UNICEF, the Korean government handed over USD 230,000 worth of anti-COVID-19 face masks to the Ministry of Health last July this year. Last year, Korea donated PCR-test kits amounting to the sum of USD 300,000. The Korean Government has increased its support to Sri Lanka by donating emergency medical items such as PCR test kits and PCR test machines amounting to the sum of USD 500,000 to combat COVID-19 this year.
Secretary of the State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Dr. R. M. S. K. Rathnayake, senior officials of the Health Ministry and the Embassy of Republic of Korea including Ms. Lim Miyeon, First Secretary were present at the event.
