The consignment of 500,000 doses of COVISHIELD vaccines from India arrived in Sri Lanka today in a special flight.

The coronavirus vaccination programme will begin at six hospital in and around Colombo from tomorrow.

The Health Ministry said that the vaccination programme will be carried out on the staff at six hospitals tomorrow, commencing the vaccination program in Sri Lanka.

Health Services Deputy Director General Dr. Hemantha Herath said that selected staff at the Colombo National Hospital, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Homagama Base Hospital, Colombo East Base Hospital, and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) in Angoda will be vaccinated.

He said that around 25 percent of the staff at these hospitals will be vaccinated at the beginning of the programme.

Dr. Hemantha Herath further said the remaining employees will be vaccinated over the next few days. (NewsWire)