Canada and WHO partner to support Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 response Source:colombogazette.com Urgent medical supplies including 2 million syringes for the accelerated COVID-19 vaccination effort arrived in Sri Lanka last August and medical equipment for 55 hospitals at the primary health care level has been procured. Since March this year, the Government of Canada has made available USD 23.86 million to WHO to support 10 countries on COVID-19 response and recovery. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, WHO Sri Lanka has developed a comprehensive implementation plan for the grant. The focus is on critical gaps in the COVID-19 response; and, key technical areas to put Sri Lanka back on track to further advance its notable achievements on universal health coverage. Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon said, “this is an excellent example where coordinating efforts through the multilateral system allows us to provide timely, essential support for the fight against COVID-19 ...

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SL reiterates strong concern with Canada Source:Dailymirror   Sri Lanka registered its strong concern with Canada regarding the Private Members Public Bill passed earlier this year in the Ontario Legislative Assembly including Sri Lanka’s objection to the unacceptable association of genocide into the past conflict, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said. Foreign Minister Prof G.L. Peiris raised concerns when he met the High Commissioner of Canada David McKinnon at the Foreign Ministry. A number of areas of ongoing bilateral cooperation were discussed. The Minister also briefed the High Commissioner on Sri Lanka’s recent multilateral engagements in Geneva and New York. The High Commissioner stated that this issue, which was a decision by the Ontario Legislative Assembly, is in a judicial process relating to a Constitutional Question. He agreed to keep the Minister informed of developments. ...

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