With the emergence of the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic and the way it is presently sweeping across the island, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) has taken a very serious note to take all possible measures to make the Tokyo 2020 a COVID-19 free game. 

The NOC Sri Lanka will ensure that Sri Lanka’s full contingent will be fully vaccinated as per the Sri Lankan Government/WHO guidelines. This includes all athletes, officials, journalists and VIPs travelling to enter Tokyo 2020 Olympics which begins on 23 July. 

Chef de Mission Gamini Jayasinghe said that steps have already taken to ensure the full vaccination of athletes who have already qualified and immediate actions will be taken for the other athletes, etc. who are currently on qualifying tournaments and no one will be issued the accreditation without the vaccination card. 

In line with the Japan counterpart the NOC Sri Lanka appointed Dr. Himan de Silva as the COVID-19 Liaison Officer (CLO) who will monitor all athletes/officials including the journalists that they follow the stricter health guidelines issued by Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee in Sri Lanka and whilst in Tokyo. 

The athletes and officials who are expected to take part as far as possible will be in a 14-day ‘bio secure bubble’ and log their whereabouts to ensure that no one will be a COVID-19 carrier to and from Japan and they will be subjected to PCR testing at least three times prior to departure to Japan. 

Jayasinghe further stated that on request of NOC Sri Lanka the vaccination was made possible due to the timely intervention by the Army Commander General Shavendra Silva who is also the Chairman of COVID-19 Task Force in Sri Lanka. 

“We the NOC Sri Lanka are thankful to the Government of Japan, Japanese people, the IOC, Tokyo 2020 and Japan Olympic Committee for showing solidarity in having the Games and our entire contingent will be fully compliant with all the health guidelines to ensure a safer game for all,” he added.

Team Sri Lanka is powered by Brandix and Hirdaramani Industries for Tokyo 2020.

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