The Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Russia held talks with Sri Lankan authorities and experts on Sputnik V vaccine and discussed its safety and efficiency, the Foreign Ministry said today. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia has facilitated an online meeting between the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Health of Russia and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia on December 29. The Embassy said Sri Lankan and Russian specialists in virology, as well as top administrators met to discuss the Sputnik V vaccine, which is developed by the Russian Gamaleya Research Institute. The parties discussed the technology used in production of the vaccine, its safety and efficiency, the results of clinical trials and the status of approvals. The Sri Lankan side apprised the Russian specialists of the research done on the virus modifications in Sri Lanka and the immunization programme of Sri Lanka. The Russian side, in its turn, assured that it is ready to share all the necessary scientific data with Sri Lanka and to hold a series of further discussions to ensure the Sri Lankan party possesses the full spectrum of information. Both parties underlined the importance of international scientific collaboration in face of the pandemic and agreed to expand relations between the health-related institutions of the two countries. The meeting was chaired by Sri Lanka Ambassador Prof. M. D. Lamawansa. The Sri Lankan side was represented by Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. S.H. Munasinghe, Additional Secretary Medical Services Dr. Sunil De Alvis, Additional Secretary Dr. L. Somathunga, epidemiologists, microbiologists, vaccinologists, virologists; immunologists and other experts. Russian Health Ministry’s Director of the International Cooperation and Public Relations Department Sergey Muravyov and Advisor to the Health Minister Sergey Glagolev represented the Health Ministry of Russia. The Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was represented by Director of the Institute Academician Alexander Gintsburg, scientific associate Darya Yegorova and others.