Australia provides another batch of COVID-19 relief resources to Sri Lanka

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Holly and Australian DefenseAdviser Captain Ian Cain handed over 6,300 kilograms of Australian supplies Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to General Shavendra Silva, Head of National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 outbreak.

At the handing over ceremony, High Commissioner Holly said that Australia expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka as both countries face the impacts of the global COVID-19 crisis together, according to a statement released by the High Commission.

"In particular, the Australian Department of Defense is pleased to support Sri Lanka's armed forces in their effort to counter COVID-19 by providing much-needed equipment to protect those on the frontline in Sri Lanka," High Commissioner Holly said.

The PPE consisted of 16,500 high-quality coveralls, 25,000 surgical face masks, 100,000 gloves manufactured in Sri Lanka by Australian firm Ansell, 175 googles, and 15 (25 litre) cool boxes to transport vaccines and will support Sri Lanka's efforts to minimize further transmission of COVID-19.

The Australian government's support to Sri Lanka's COVID-19 response now totals AUD 11.7 million (approximately Rs 1.8 billion) including support to the Ministry of Health to strengthen national laboratories as well as providing crucial food and hygiene items to Sri Lankan communities, the statement added.