The Embassy facilitated an online meeting between the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Health of Russia and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia.

In the height of the final trials, research and registration of Covid-19 vaccines around the world, the Sri Lankan and Russian specialists in virology, as well as top administrators met to discuss the Sputnik V vaccine, which is developed by the Russian Gamaleya Research Institute.
The parties discussed the technology used in production of the vaccine, its safety and efficiency, the results of clinical trials and the status of approvals.
The Sri Lankan side introduced the Russian specialists to the research done on the virus modifications in Sri Lanka and the immunization programme of Sri Lanka.
The Russian side, in its turn, assured that it is ready to share all the necessary scientific data with Sri Lanka and to hold a series of further discussions to ensure the Sri Lankan party possesses the full spectrum of information.
Both parties underlined the importance of international scientific collaboration in face of the pandemic and agreed to expand relations between the health-related institutions of the two countries.
The meeting was chaired by Prof. M. D. Lamawansa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to Russia, who was joined by other staff members of the Embassy. The Sri Lankan side was represented by Dr. S.H. Munasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Health; Dr. Sunil De Alvis, Additional Secretary Medical Services, Dr L Somathunga, Additional Secretary; epidemiologists, microbiologists, vaccinologists, virologists; immunologists and other experts.
From the Ministry of Health of Russia the following representatives took part in the meeting: Mr. Sergey Muravyov, Director of the International Cooperation and Public Relations Department; Mr. Sergey Glagolev, Advisor to the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, and others. The Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was represented by Academician Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Institute, Ms. Darya Yegorova, scientific associate, and others.
The Sputnik V vaccine was the first Covid-19 vaccine to be registered in the world and it is currently on the last stages of its third clinical trials. The vaccine's efficacy is confirmed at more than 91.4% based on data analysis of the final control point of clinical trial. The vaccine is already in general use in the Russian Federation, it has been approved and registered by the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Argentina. The Russian Direct Investment Fund is discussing introduction of the vaccine to the United Arab Emirates, Republic of India and the Republic of Venezuela. Many other countries have also expressed their desire to consider the possibility of the Sputnik V procurement.