(The Island/ANN)------Several private sectors companies have pledged to contribute Rs. 10 billion towards the government’s efforts to procure new vaccinations developed in the world to contain Covid-19 in Sri Lanka, a senior government medical official said.

Taking the lead in the endeavor is Brandix Lanka Limited, where a coronavirus cluster erupted at its Minuwangoda apparel factory last year.

These companies are prepared to financially support the President in a big way to help procure the vaccinations to protect the population from the raging virus, said Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva, Secretary of the Ministry of Primary Health Services, Pandemics and COVID Prevention.

Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Dr. de Silva and other senior medical officials have already discussed the modalities of the financial pledge with Brandix Lanka Limited Chairman, Ashroff Omar.

Many private sector companies have joined hands to raise funds for this purpose, the Secretary said.

The government has so far spent many billions of rupees to curb the Covid-19 threat, he added.

Representatives of the private companies are expected to hand over the cheque for Rs. 10 billion to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa shortly.