As part of its diplomatic efforts to strengthen its international and regional relations and support its economic and commercial interests, China has shipped hundreds of thousands of coronavirus vaccines to Sri Lanka over the past few months, and Sri Lanka received several days ago 600,000 doses of the Chinese Sinopharma vaccine, in addition to Beijing’s promise to ship increasing numbers of Corona vaccines to several countries around the world, especially in Asia. Politicians and activists pointed out that China is looking to highlight its global health leadership for low and middle-income countries, despite Beijing not providing accurate data and information about the effectiveness of its vaccines, in addition to questions about the transparency of the Sri Lankan government in deals to purchase Chinese vaccines at a higher price, especially since there is a possibility to buy vaccines at a much lower price.
Chameera Perera – Union Activist said
“Although many vaccine manufacturing countries like Japan, Europe and America are considering to give vaccines to underdeveloped countries freely, yet a country like Sri Lanka is dependent on dealing matters with China, and we can observe that China is purely handling this matter on trade benefit whereby they can sell it to Sri Lanka for a monetary value. Continuously China has been doing business deals, mainly business deals. Purchasing vaccines from China itself has become a serious issue as much political involvement. Especially, the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has been stating that they have been in discussion with Japan, England, Germany, and Switzerland and the countries have consented to provide vaccines. But, we were able to observe through media that Japan is not in a stance as such, but they were providing to countries like Taiwan and other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. And the same is the case with Switzerland and Germany. A situation has arisen where the above-said countries are suspicious to assist Sri Lanka whether to help or not.”
“A question arises as to from where did our politicians receive their vaccines from?. Since, all other global leaders such as England Premier Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson and New Zealand’s Premier Jacinda Ardent publically administered the vaccination as a boost to encourage their people, while here in Sri Lanka the situation remains a mystery as to what vaccination and where it was administered for politicians. There is an issue in the transparency of the Chinese vaccination purchasing deal. When the Chinese were offering a vaccine price at $10 for Bangladesh, and they stated that a vaccine is priced at $15 each for Sri Lanka. When an issue has arisen regarding this, the Chine firm is refusing to disclose further information stating that it is violating the bilateral agreement to divulge information’s and if it is compromised the deal will be canceled. It is the very nature of the Chinese government to withhold and conceal information from the masses since it is the ‘Authoritative Chinese model’, but the Sri Lankan government cannot do so, as they are elected through public mandate. Within the democratic frame, the masses can question the government of its dealings transparency, and the government is liable to reciprocate. That is why we are insisting the GoSL should be ready to divulge and be transparent in the China Sinopharm vaccination deal. Since there is a looming suspicion of a huge financial fraudulency. As citizens of Sri Lanka, we are in a stance to make sure to have clear transparency in this Chinese vaccine deal.”
Pubudu Jayagoda – The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Education Secretary said
“At the beginning, Sri Lanka received AstraZeneca vaccines, and then a section of the population was injected with the first dose, without considering to save to inject the Second Dose. The masses who received the First Dosage of the AstraZeneca are in great distress due to the unavailability of the Second Dosage. “In such a situation, the Sinopharam vaccination was being introduced although it had not received the recognition and the approval from National Medicines Regulatory authority (NMRA) and World Health Organization (WHO). Since Chinese Company (State Owned Company) which manufactured the vaccines has not given the accurate efficiency information and other data regarding the vaccination to the above organizations. Later on, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the NMRA approved information and data based on secondary sources received from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia who massively used Sinopharm vaccines. But, somehow, the Politicians were very eager to get down the Sinopharm Vaccinations, and six top-level experts who were serving at National Medicines Regulatory authority (NMRA) were dismissed due to this issue of non-approval of the Sinopharm vaccines from their respected posts. After expelling the official State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Professor Channa Jayasumana took the matter entirely under his instigations and commenced the vaccination process. But, after the Sinopharm injection, another issue has arisen regarding the Sinovac injection, since Sinopharm vaccines are manufactured by the Chinese government/state-funded organization, while Sinovac is manufactured by a Chinese Private Sector Company. There are many serious issues regarding these vaccines. These vaccines’ efficiency is less than 60% whereas other vaccinations’ efficiency is more than 80% in comparison. While Sri Lanka has approved a vaccine which has an efficiency of less than 60% and also has not yet disclosed full data and information to the general masses.”
Qi Zhenhong – Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka):
“We jointly welcome the arrival of 600,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine as a gift to the Sri Lankan people by Chinese people. To hold this handing over ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping with his counterpart Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse had a wonderful phone conversation in which they discussed the fundamental guidelines of the Strategic partnership between both the friendly countries. The arrival of the vaccines once again demonstrates the deep brotherhood between the people of two countries.”