The New Zealand Government commends the Covid Vaccination Programme in Sri Lanka. This was stated by the New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, H.E.Michael Edward Appleton during a discussion with Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga on Friday (01). The meeting was held to discuss the future course of actions to be taken with regard to tourism promotion between the two countries.
The High Commissioner asked the Minister of Tourism regarding the prevention and vaccination of Covid outbreak in the country and Minister, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga stated that more than 70% of the total population of Sri Lanka has been vaccinated against Covid-19. The Minister pointed out that more than 90% of the population over the age of 30 have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and currently vaccines are being administered to groups between the ages of 20-30 and 15-20. The Minister also said that the government is paying special attention to the prevention of Covid pandemic and explained to the High Commissioner the programmes being carried out by all sectors including the health and security forces in order to prevent Covid -19. Appreciating these efforts, the New Zealand High Commissioner said that the New Zealand government is ready to assist in controlling the Covid pandemic at any time.
The New Zealand High Commissioner said that New Zealand has already imposed travel restrictions and that it would take at least a few weeks for the restrictions to be lifted. He also said that the New Zealand is ready to launch a joint tourism promotion campaign between two countries after the opening of New Zealand for tourism. The Minister said that the necessary plans have already been prepared by the Tourism Development Authority of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Andrew Traveler, Deputy Head of the Embassy of New Zealand, Mr. S. Hettiarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Madhava Devasurendra, Secretary to the State Ministry of Aviation and Export Zone Development and Mrs. Dhammika Wijesinghe, Director General of the Tourism Development Authority of Sri Lanka were also present on the occasion.
