H.E. Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, at Temple Trees on 06 November.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Foreign Secretary and his delegation. The discussions focused on current regional developments and matters of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on accountability, transparency, and good governance.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya underlined the importance of institutional reforms and the need to eliminate corrupt practices to strengthen effective and transparent governance systems. Both sides also explored potential avenues for enhanced collaboration between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in areas of shared interest.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries.

The Bangladesh delegation included H.E. Mr. Andalib Elias, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka; Ms. Ishrat Jahan, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Md. Manuar Mukarram, Director (FSO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Mohammad Nahid Zahangir, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised H.E. Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; and Mr. Samantha Pathirana, Director General of the South Asia & SAARC Division.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, at Temple Trees on 06 November.

The Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to Mr. Sasakawa and expressed her appreciation for his second visit to Sri Lanka. Mr. Sasakawa briefed the Prime Minister on the Leprosy Conference held earlier that morning, which was also attended by H.E. the President. He outlined The Nippon Foundation’s ongoing projects in Sri Lanka, highlighting initiatives that support persons with disabilities, especially students with special needs.

Mr. Sasakawa discussed the work of the Sri Lankan School of Prosthetics and Orthotics and proposed upgrading the institution to university level with government assistance. Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya responded positively, noting that she would instruct the Ministry of Education to assess the feasibility of this proposal.

The Prime Minister commended The Nippon Foundation’s “100 Schools Project” in the Northern Province and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving educational and social inclusion for students with disabilities. She also acknowledged the resource limitations faced by some programmes and expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support in addressing these challenges.

H.E. Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, reiterated Japan’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka, particularly in promoting inclusivity and social welfare.

Both sides concluded the meeting by expressing their shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between Sri Lanka, Japan, and The Nippon Foundation in advancing education, accessibility, and social inclusion.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation; H.E. Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka; Mr. Ryo Takaoka, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan; and Mr. Shota Nakayasu, Secretary to the Chairman, The Nippon Foundation.

Representing the Sri Lankan side were Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Savitri Panabokke, Director General, East Asia & Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Ms. Gayanga Dias, Assistant Director, East Asia & Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States and International Organizations (Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Holy See – Vatican), paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on November 3 at Temple Trees.

During the meeting, discussions centered on education, reconciliation, and international relations. The Prime Minister outlined the new education reforms introduced under the government’s policy framework, which were warmly welcomed by Archbishop Gallagher. He also highlighted the Holy See’s global initiative, the Jubilee of World Education, noting that “education is the new name for peace, hope, and community development.”

Addressing post-conflict reconciliation, the Prime Minister emphasized the inclusive and pluralistic approach of the current government, stressing that reconciliation requires continuous dialogue, patience, and renewed thinking. Archbishop Gallagher commended this vision and underlined the importance of strengthening the justice system, trust, and transparency to sustain international confidence.

The meeting concluded with Archbishop Gallagher proposing that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV consider an official visit to Sri Lanka, a suggestion the Prime Minister welcomed, expressing readiness to extend a formal invitation. The Prime Minister also accepted Archbishop Gallagher’s invitation to visit the Holy See.

The Vatican delegation included Rev. Monsignor Roberto Lucchini, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Holy See in Colombo, and Rev. Monsignor Tomislav Zubac, Second Secretary of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. Representing Sri Lanka were Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General; and Mrs. Anodya Chirasrie, Deputy Director (Europe & North America) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The newly appointed Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) – Sri Lanka, Mr. Philip Ward, and Deputy Director Mr. Robert Oliver met with the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, on 27th of October at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Operating in Sri Lanka since 1968, the World Food Programme has been supporting the country in strengthening food and nutritional security, and the resilience of communities facing economic and climate-related challenges.

During the discussion, attention was drawn to the Strategic Plan of the WFP for the period of 2023–2027 and the future course of action. Special emphasis was placed on working collaboratively with the Government of Sri Lanka in line with its upcoming programmes aimed at ensuring food and nutritional security.

The event was attended by the Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mrs. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and Senior Assistant Secretary Mr. M. H. A. M. Riflan.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, along with a group of ministers and officials, participated in an inspection visit on 26 th of October to the solid waste management project initiated focusing on the Kelaniya and Puttalam–Aruwakkalu areas for managing solid waste in the Western Province.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, Members of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Asitha Niroshan, Aruna Panagoda, Dewananda Suraweera, Ajith Gihan, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Gayan Janaka, and Faizal Mohamed, as well as the District Secretaries of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, and Puttalam, local representatives, residents of the area, and representatives of environmental organizations.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the inaugural ceremony of the newly constructed three-storey ward complex of the H.P. Piyasiri Government Ayurvedic Hospital in Deiyandara, Belpamullla, on 25th of October.

This new three-storey ward complex was built through the financial donation of Deshamanya H.P. Piyasiri, Chairman of Phenomenal Trading Company and his children. During the event, the official deed of transfer handing over the new ward complex to the government was presented by Deshamanya Mr. H.P. Piyasiri to the Prime Minister.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister stated that this hospital serves as an excellent example of the kind of development projects and programmes that can be successfully carried out through the joint efforts of the government, the private sector, and the general public.

The Prime Minister further emphasized that society today needs entrepreneurs with a sense of social responsibility, who can serve as role models for future generations.

Expressing her gratitude, the Prime Minister commended Deshamanya H.P. Piyasiri and his family for completing and donating this fully equipped three-storey ward complex to the public.
 
Addressing the event, Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development Sunil Handunnetti stated:

The vision of Mr. H.P. Piyasiri who built this hospital is to economically develop this rural area by 2030 through the tourism industry. Developing the Ayurvedic and tourism sectors together to promote wellness tourism is extremely valuable. It is not only a form of treatment but also of hospitality. This is a visionary entrepreneurial concept that can take our country further in the global platform. Mr. Piyasiri’s foresight in this regard is truly commendable. Moreover, an Ayurvedic hospital is not just a government institution but an essential part of the people’s lives. Mr. Piyasiri has fulfilled his role in this noble endeavor, and as the government, we will intervene to complete the rest of his mission.
 
The event was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra, Member of Parliament Ajantha Gammaddage, other distinguished guests, and a large gathering of residents of the area.

Prime Minister’s Media Division