Health Minister Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella says that Sri Lanka has become the third most vaccinated country out of 194 countries in the world.
Minister Rambukwella said that the successful vaccination of the country has given a chance to the lives of the people and it is the highest achievement given to the people as a country in this century.
He was speaking at a ceremony held at the Urban Development Authority today (12) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the State Pharmaceutical Corporation and the Urban Development Authority for the construction of three new pharmaceutical factories in the Millewa area in Horana.
The new factories are planned to be built by the State Pharmaceutical Corporation on a long-term lease basis on 64 acres of land. It opens up a trio of anti-cancer, orthopedic, pharmaceutical and pill factories. It is planned to build two factories within two and a half years and another in a year. This is expected to save a large amount of foreign exchange.
The aim is to save the lives of the people of the country through maximum vaccination and by now Sri Lanka has been able to successfully reach the third vaccine in a year, the Minister said.
With the construction of these factories, it will be possible to manufacture between 10-12 percent of the total demand for pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in the country. Most orthopedic equipment is imported from many European countries such as Germany and Switzerland. It will also save a large amount of money spent annually on cancer drugs in our country.
State Minister of Urban Development Waste Disposal and Community Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa addressing the gathering said, at present the media in the country only talks about issues.
He said that the people were not aware of such valuable work being done not only by the present government to solve problems but also for the future. He added that his ministry will launch a project that will be completed every three weeks from January.
Maj. Gen. Specialist Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Dr. Saman Ratnayake, Secretary to the State Ministry of Pharmaceuticals, Supply and Regulation were also present on the occasion.
