ජාතික මට්ටමින් ටයිකෝට් ඇදගෙන කළ හොරකම් ප්‍රාදේශිය සභා මට්ටමින් එළිපිට සිදුකළ බවත් ඉදිරියට එවැන්නක් සිදුවීමට ඉඩ නොතබන බවත් අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය ආචාර්ය හරිනි අමරසූරිය පැවසුවාය.

හොරණ සහ බුලත්සිංහල ප්‍රදේශවල පැවති ජනහමු අමතමින් අග්‍රාමාත්‍යවරිය මේ බව පැවසීය.

මෙහිදී වැඩිදුරටත් අදහස් දැක් වූ අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය ආචාර්ය හරිනි අමරසූරිය,

දැන් ජනාධිපති ධූරයත් තියෙනවා, පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ දැවැන්ත බලයක් තියෙනවා, තව මොනවද ඕන රට හදන්නේ කියලා ඔබට හිතෙනවා ඇති.

හැබැයි ඔබ සියලු දෙනාම පිළිගන්නවා ඇති ප්‍රාදේශීය සභාවකින් විය යුතු වැඩක් තියෙනවා. කළ යුතු සේවාවක් තියනවා.

ප්‍රජාතන්ත්‍රවාදය කියන එක පවතින්නේ තමන් පත් කරගත්ත මහජන නියෝජිතයින් හරහා සිද්ධවෙන වැඩ තුළින්, ගමට සමීපතම නියෝජිතයා ප්‍රාදේශීය සභාවේ තමයි ඉන්නේ. ඔබේ එදිනෙදා ජීවිතය පහසු කරන බොහෝ කටයුතුවලට වගකියන්න ඕනේ ප්‍රාදේශීය සභාව.

ජාතික මට්ටමින් ටයිකෝට් ඇදගෙන හොරකම් කළා. පලාත්පාලන ආයතන ටයි කෝට් නොමැතිව අමු අමුවේ හොරකම් කළා.ඒකනේ මෙතෙක් සිද්ධ වුණේ. ප්‍රාදේශීය සභා කියන ඒවා මිනිස්සුන්ට සත පහකට වැඩක් වුනේ නැහැ. ඒක තමා ඇත්ත කතාව. යළි එහෙම වෙන්න අපි ඉඩතියන්නේ නැහැ.

දරුවෙක් පිළිසිඳ ගත්ත මොහොතේ සිටම ප්‍රාදේශීය සභාවට වැඩ තියෙනවා, මාතෘ සායන පවත්වන්න ඕන, දරුවා එන්නත් කරන්න ඕන, ඉපදුණායින් පස්සේ දරුවන්ගේ සෞඛ්‍යයට වග කියන්න ඕන, මව්වරුන්ගේ සෞඛ්‍යයට වග කියන්න ඕන, දරුවන්ගේ මව්වරුන්ගේ පෝෂණ තත්ත්වයට වග කියන්න ඕන. පෙර පාසැල් දිවාසුරුකුම් පවත්වාගෙන යන්න ඕන, ප්‍රාථමික අධ්‍යාපනය, ද්විතීක අධ්‍යාපනය, දරුවන්ට අවශ්‍ය ගමේ සේවාවන් පුස්තකාල, රංගශාලා, තරුණ සංගම්, තරුණ සමිති, තරුණ තරුණියන්ට සෞඛ්‍ය වර්ධනය, අමතර පන්ති පැවැත්වීම කරන්න ඕන.

වැඩිහිටියන්, කාන්තාවන්, ව්‍යවසායකයින් වෙනුවෙන් කරන්න වැඩකොටසක් තියනවා. අන්තිමට සොහොනට යනකොට ඒකත් ගෞරවාන්විත විදිහට යන්න පුලුවන් විදිහට හදන ඒකත් ප්‍රාදේශීය සභාවේ වගකීම.

මේ සියල්ලට මැදිහත් වෙන්න ප්‍රාදේශීය සභාවට විශාල බලයක් ඇති බවත්, එළඹෙණ මැයි හය වන දින හොරුන්ගෙන් ප්‍රාදේශිය සභාව බේරා ගැනීමට ඉදිරියට එන ලෙසත් අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය ආචාර්ය හරිනි අමරසූරිය පැවසුවාය.

මෙම අවස්ථාවට පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන් වන නිහාල් අබේසිංහ, ඔෂානි උමංගා, නන්දන පද්ම කුමාර යන මහත්ම මහත්මීන් ඇතුළු විශාල පිරිසක් සහභාගී වූහ.

අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මාධ්‍ය අංශය

Speaking at the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Amarapura Ariyavansa Saddhamma Yukthika Nikaya, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya humbly requested.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that there is a contemporary need to develop the Pirivena and Bhikkhu education and that the government is seeking the revered guidance of Maha Sangha in that cause.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Amarapura Ariyavansa Saddhamma Yukthika Nikaya today (29) at the Sri Subodhi Rajarama Mulasthana Maha Vihara in Bombuwala, Kalutara.

During the event, the Prime Minister honored sixty-three venerable members of the Maha Sangha who had rendered their noble service to the Sasana and also conferred awards upon several distinguished lay benefactors in recognition of their contributions.

Addressing the keynote speech, the Prime Minister further stated:

There has always been a strong bond between Buddhism and society throughout the history. Culture and social relations have been built alongside the Buddhist philosophy. The society we seek to establish as a nation must embody the Buddhist values of fairness, equality, and compassion. These virtues, as taught in the Buddhist philosophy, are ever relevant and alive.

Piriven and Bhikkhu education are currently facing numerous challenges, and considerable efforts are needed to address them. Thereby a substantial and concerted intervention is required.

A pertinent question arises as whether our Pirivena institutions adequately preparing for the evolving needs of the world? There was once a belief in Europe that, with scientific advancement, religion would become redundant. Today, this view has been discredited. Along with material progress, spiritual development remains indispensable.

The knowledge, attitudes, and skills of our Bhikkhus must be enhanced to meet the emerging global challenges. A profound discussion on necessary reforms in Piriven and Bhikkhu education is therefore imperative.

Opportunities for Bhikkhus to study subjects such as mathematics, science, and modern languages are currently limited. Without exposure to contemporary disciplines, it is questionable whether one can successfully confront present-day challenges.

The event, held under the patronage of the Venerable Egodamulle Amaramoli Mahanayake Thera, the Chief incumbent of the Amarapura Ariyavansa Saddhamma Yukthika Nikaya, was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Mass Media and Health Mr. Nalinda Jayatissa, several Members of Parliament, and numerous lay devotees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Let us all unite and transform our city into the most beautiful city. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the NPP unites everyone without any discrimination to achieve one objective in mind.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held on April 28 in Dematagoda, Kotahena, Maradana, and Kompannaveediya in the Colombo District.

Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

The annual revenue of the Colombo Municipal Council is Rs. 30 billion. Colombo possesses a wealthy municipal council so the municipal council is possessed by everything they need. Hence, how much could these areas be developed by the municipal council? But they do not have empathy for the people; nor a genuine desire to uplift the lives of citizens. Despite our criticism, nothing substantial happens. The first image that comes to mind when referring to the Colombo municipal council is that of a den of corruption, an institution where funds are squandered and no meaningful work is accomplished. This image must change. In 2024, the people of this country commenced a journey to transform the nation. They made two historic decisions at the Presidential and Parliamentary elections to change the course of our country’s history. As a result, we now have a government that represents all citizens, a government that echoes the voices and addresses the needs of every one of you.

You may recall that elections were initially due in 2023. At that time, we proposed to start rebuilding the nation from the grassroots. However, as the National People’s Power was gaining momentum, what did Ranil Wickremesinghe do? He cancelled the elections. We had to resort to legal action to secure our right to vote. It was through these legal battles that we were able to protect our democratic rights and ensure the Provincial Council Elections, albeit delayed by two years. Let us now take the historic journey that began in 2024 forward to the Municipal Councils.

Our opponents say many things about us, but they cannot accuse us of corruption. We safeguard public funds. Since the day president Anura Kumara was elected, we have demonstrated how a government should be run.

When we look at the situation, there is no doubt that on May 6, the National People’s Power will secure victory in the Colombo city. Our sister, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, is poised to become the next Mayor in Colombo municipal council. You will have a Mayor who is accessible to you, who you can easily approach and speak with, accompanied by a highly capable team. She has a strong desire to develop and beautify this city so that we can all take pride in it.

I know that all of you have dreams, and the children here dream of a bright future. We must reform our education system. Just as we have taken responsibility for preschools through the Municipal Council, we are making great efforts at the national level to rebuild the education system.

We aspire to create schools where every child will genuinely enjoy attending, schools that do not burden children or their parents. Education should not merely be confined to textbooks and exams, it should open the world to our children and broaden their horizons.

Colombo is a truly special place, and this area holds even greater uniqueness. As I travelled here, I passed a beautiful kovil, saw a Buddha statue in front, and a statue of Mary nearby. The church is not far either. This diversity enriches us. Although concentrated in a small area, the understanding and empathy fostered among communities is remarkable. Even in the nearby shops, one can find diverse and delicious cuisines.

When we talk about tourism, this is what international visitors should experience. They should be able to witness and enjoy this rich diversity. These attractions must be preserved and presented in an appealing manner. Colombo must not only be known for its five-star hotels, but also as a city rich in culture, beauty, and diversity. We must showcase this to the world.

Through the new education reforms, you have entrusted us with great power to fulfil all our promises. The reason why we gained this mandate is to fulfill and implement the agreements, discussions, and social contracts and that the very foundations on we are committed to implementing them with dedication. In achieving this process we expect your support in establishing a transparent and clean municipal council.

Through the first budget we approved in March this year, we have allocated funds for preschools, road construction, water management, waste management, and drainage systems. These allocations address issues that have long affected your daily lives. These funds were gathered through significant sacrifices, for the benefit of the people. We cannot allow them to fall into the hands of the corrupt. Hence, we need to clean up the Municipal Council.We have much more work to do. It has only been six months since we assumed office, and much remains to be done. While we have stabilized the economy, the next step is to achieve economic growth. We have allocated funds to facilitate business opportunities, promote self-employment, especially for women and youth, and develop community facilities. We are confident that these initiatives can be successfully implemented. Therefore, we urge you to elect and appoint a skilled team to the Municipal Council to continue this transformative journey.

The event was attended by Parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, Hemanta Wijekoon, Colombo Mayoral Candidate Vraie Cally Balthazaar, and other candidates.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

While we extend our best wishes to the students who passed the GCE A/L examination, the government is ready to initiate a procedure for those who could not pass.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the current government has removed the political protection that existed for corruption and crime for the past seventy-five years.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held yesterday (27) in the areas of Suriyawewa, Hungama, and Tangalle in the Hambantota District.

Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

We have ended the political protection that existed for seventy-five years providing shelter for corruption and crime. There no longer exists any protection for those public-hostile acts of corruption and crime. When we first started this, there were groups within the public service and even within the security forces who were scared and unsettled. All of this was continued under the political protection. When such political protection are removed, what you see now is the effort to uncover and clean up the remaining remnants.

One of the most notable incidents in this regard is the arrest of former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the actions taken against him thereafter. Have you ever heard of an Inspector General of Police being arrested before? A parliamentary tripartite committee has also been appointed regarding this. Even those who were previously protected by the system are now feeling fear.

Former Cabinet Minister and ruling party member Pillayan has also been taken into custody. There, too, I witnessed rather absurd situations. According to members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), it was Pillayan who won the war. However, he was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a university vice-chancellor.

It has been reported that the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha is charging a market tax. If taxes or fees are collected, it must transfer into a service or facility for the people. The current method violates tax policy. A contract has been given to collect these taxes, meaning the money is being collected by a third party. If the taxes collected were genuinely used for the maintenance of the market complex, it should be in excellent condition.

The income of Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha amounts to 110 million rupees. If that money had been properly used for the Pradeshiya Sabha, today it would be in the best condition. The fact that it indicates that the money has ended up in someone else’s hands.

Despite instructions not to collect money in schools, we continue to receive complaints that it is still happening. We are taking necessary actions to address this matter. However, there are currently insufficient investigative officers to conduct thorough investigations. We are working to strengthen the investigative units within the ministries.

Through the approved budget, we have allocated a large amount of funds for the rural development including rural infrastructure, rural economy, and especially to create self-employment opportunities for women and youth, as well as to build clean villages.

The government has now stabilized the economy. The next goal is to drive the economy for a economic growth. We need to increase income and push the economy toward a growth trajectory.

The results of the GCE Advanced Level examination were released last night. We send our best wishes to all students who passed. Some students who did not pass are already preparing to sit for the examination again for a second or third time. Others are pursuing vocational training. However, there are some students who do not yet have a clear path. This education system has not set up proper pathways for them. Through our new programs, we have prepared a plan to properly guide all students. We will launch this program starting in 2026.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further noted that the government has been in power for only six months so far and that it will continue working to correct all these issues in the future.

The event was attended by the members of Parliament Saliya Sandaruwan and Athula Weladagoda, along with a large number of candidates and local residents.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that for the first time in history, mosques in Kandy opened their doors to accommodate the needs of devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and that people have now started to think of themselves as all are Sri Lankans beyond dividing into ethnicities and religions.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held in the Paragahadeniya area in Kurunegala.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

This country is undergoing a transformation we expected,so accordingly, we must operate in new ways. People are beginning to feel that we must work towards a new transformation. We can see this change even within our ministries. These days, sometimes when we visit ministries even after 5 PM, and ask if it is possible to have discussions, the officials are always open. Today, public officials are willing to work late into the night, until 9 or 10 PM. Officials have now started working without fear.

Currently, the sacred pilgrimage to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is taking place after decades. Observing how the public is behaving there is noteworthy. Remarkably, for the first time in history, Muslim mosques in Kandy remained open throughout the night to accommodate pilgrims visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. They even provided space for devotees to rest. There were no ethnic or religious tensions. What we saw was respect for other ethnicities and religions. This is happening because there is now a sense of a government that represents all Sri Lankan people, not just Sinhalese, Muslims, or Tamils.

The event was attended by the candidates for the local government election including the residents of the area.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Recruitments of teachers will be conducted based on the Vacancies in the future.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that teacher recruitment in the past had not been conducted in an appropriate manner, and that in the future, teachers would be recruited based on actual vacancies.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the public gatherings held on April 26 in Polgahawela, Weerambugedara, Piduruwella, Pillesse, Mawathagama, and Paragahadeniya in the Kurunegala District.

Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya further stated:

The government is actively identifying challenges across all sectors, proposing solutions, and appointing the necessary skilled officials to implement these initiatives. This election is significant for us as it enables the realization of these projects at the rural level.

As much as the upper echelons of politics is free from corruption and frauds, it is equally important to ensure that the grassroots level is also establish the cleanliness and integrity.

It is clear that our political opponents are motivated by concerns regarding their own survival. However, we face no such concerns. Our objective is to establish a proper governance structure to ensure the effective implementation of government policies.

I have observed claims suggesting that by August, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe would assume the presidency, followed by Mr. Sajith Premadasa in December. Frankly, I am uncertain as to how such notions arise.

We must regard such distractions with compassion and remain steadfast in our mission. It is your responsibility to elect a competent team to ensure the continuity of this journey.

The transformation in political culture has been evident since the moment when Anura Kumara assumed office. From that point, we have made every effort to govern without burdening the people. We will not permit politicians to misuse their authority or act irresponsibly.

Unnecessary expenses, wastage, and corruption have been halted. At present, no accusations of misconduct can be leveled against us.

A large number of people are currently visiting Kandy.

For the first time in history, in support of pilgrims visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Muslim places of worship and business establishments were opened, demonstrating the emergence of a strong sense of communal harmony within the country.

Despite possessing knowledge, our children face significant challenges in developing the skills and attitudes required to progress in the modern world.

Moreover, the failure to adequately integrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes within the education system has led to the emergence of serious social issues.

There are pronounced disparities between schools, resulting in heightened competition among "popular" and "less popular" institutions. Advanced Level students often do not attend school regularly, attending only to register and sit for examinations. The rate of dropout among male students is rising rapidly, and numerous challenges persist within schools. Education should not only impart knowledge but also foster virtues and spiritual development essential for society.

It is imperative that we intervene to reform the system. The education sector must produce individuals equipped with the skills necessary to contribute effectively to the national economy and development initiatives.

Currently, teacher training colleges offer experiences in ragging than professional development. There is a lack of residential facilities, sanitary conditions, and adequate learning resources. Curricula have not been updated for over 15 years, and there is an acute shortage of qualified academic staff to train teachers. All these deficiencies must be addressed.

In Germany, a teacher undergoes nine years of training before teaching children. But what is the situation in our country? Even if we are not there yet, we must create an environment that allows us to move beyond the current challenges.

There is a significant shortage of teachers in schools, and disparities exist in the appointment of teachers across different schools. In the past, teacher recruitment has not been properly managed. We are now planning the necessary measures to recruit teachers according to actual vacancies in the future.

We initiate in introducing new subject curriculums, enhancing teacher training, and developing school infrastructure accordingly. Furthermore, there are pressing issues within the Piriven education sector. A committee has already been appointed to examine these issues, identify specific needs, and submit timely recommendations.

From 2026 onwards, a new education system, free from burdens on students, teachers, and parents, will be introduced for Grade 1 and Grade 6. This initiative is not intended to gain popularity or electoral advantage, but is driven by the sincere commitment to reform the education system of the country.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the clean leadership at the grassroots level is crucial for the successful implementation of these initiatives, and expressed confidence that the people would grant a decisive victory to the National People’s Power (NPP) at the upcoming election on May 6.

The event was attended by the Provincial council candidates and residents of the respective areas.

Prime Minister’s Media Division