Ambassador Qi, at the ceremony, said the arrival of the vaccines once again demonstrated the brotherhood between Sri Lanka and China and once again implemented the commitment of China in making the Chinese COVID-19 vaccines a global public good.

"It also once again declared that solidarity is the only right way for the international community to defeat the pandemic at an early date and build a global community of health for mankind," the ambassador said.

He further added that Sri Lanka was among the first countries to which China donated the vaccines.

"It is particularly worth mentioning that the Sri Lanka government has decided to include Chinese nationals in its vaccination plan. In this regard, on behalf of China, I would like to extend our highest appreciation for this most friendly gesture," Qi said.

Withstanding the test of the pandemic, the ambassador said, he firmly believed the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere, mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship would elevate to a new level.

Later the day, the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) said the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines are safe and effective after the panel's data reviewing.