Sri Lanka kicked off its COVID-19 vaccination on Friday, a day after it received five lakh doses of Covaxin as a gift from India under the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative.

The drive began at the Army Hospital in Narahenpita. The frontline workers fighting COVID-19 were vaccinated with ‘Made inIndia’ Covishield vaccine, reported ANI.

The vaccination drive was formally launched at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases with the participation of State Minister of Primary Health Services, Pandemics and COVID Prevention, Dr. Suharshini Fernandopulle, and India High Commissioner Gopal Baglay.

Dr. Ananda Wijewickrema became the first person to be vaccinated. He is a specialist at the hospital, reported Colombo Page.

Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka Tweeted, “Made in India vaccine was administered in various hospitals in Colombo. This drive was formally launched at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. Hon’ble MOS Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, High Commissioner and various other dignitaries attended the event.”

National Medicines Regulatory Authority gave a go-ahead to Oxford Astrazeneca’s vaccine last week. The country plans to first vaccinate about 150,000 health personnel and 120,000 tri-forces, police and other security personnel, who are in the frontline fighting against the virus.