Former Cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has received the COVID19 vaccine today raising serious concerns over the criteria through which recipients of the vaccine are selected.

When the government rolled out the vaccination programme for the public earlier this week, health authorities said priority would be given to vulnerable groups, elderly people and those who come into constant contact with the public.

However, it is apparent that Jayasuriya, a retired cricketer and a former Parliamentarian, does not fall into any of these categories. Jayasuriya does not even hold a position in the country’s cricket administration at the moment.

“This shows that the vaccination programme is heavily politicized and those who have the right connections will receive priority over others. This trend does not send out a positive message to the public,” a source familiar with the matter said.