As we have overcome previous challenges, we must collectively overcome this pressing concern of dengue as well.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a long-term programme should be formulated to minimize the spread of dengue epidemic and emphasized that, just as the country has successfully overcome previous challenges, the dengue challenge must also be addressed and overcome through a collective effort.

The Prime Minister made these remarks today (16) while addressing a special dengue prevention programme organized in kottawa in conjunction with Dengue Prevention Week. The programme was aimed at controlling the spread of dengue and raising public awareness on health and safety measures.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister further stated:

At present, the risk of dengue is increasing across the country. The Colombo District remains at high risk, and health authorities have identified Maharagama as one of the particularly vulnerable areas.

The risk has been identified especially in schools, government and private sector offices, and other public spaces. As a government, we have declared a Dengue Prevention Week and are undertaking special interventions during this period with the objective of addressing the risk of dengue faced by the public.

However, this effort should not be limited to a single week. A long term programme should be formulated to address this issue. At this critical juncture, all stakeholders must come together and act with determination.

Over the past one and a half years, we have successfully overcome numerous challenges. Similarly, we must collectively come forward to overcome this challenge as well. Dengue prevention should be regarded as a personal responsibility by every citizen. We must work towards transforming the Colombo District from a high-risk area into a lower-risk zone and progressively move towards eliminating the threat altogether.

Following the programme, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also inspected the local bus stand and surrounding areas.

Addressing the occasion, Chairman of the Maharagama Municipal Council, Mr. Saman Samarakoon, expressed his appreciation to the institutions that contributed significantly to the dengue prevention initiative, including the Maharagama Municipal Council, Kottawa Police, security forces personnel, the Maharagama Divisional Secretariat, the Public Health Inspector’s Office, the National Housing Development Authority, the Land Registry Office, the National Transport Commission, Kottawa Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Kottawa Ananda Vidyalaya, and the Kottawa Traders’ Association.

The event was attended by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamlath, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Sunil Watagala, Colombo District Member of Parliament, Dewananda Suraweera, Chairman of the Maharagama Municipal Council, Saman Samarakoon, and several other invitees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, H.E. Andalib Elias paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 15th of June at the Temple Trees premises.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and the contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during the tenure of H.E. Andalib Elias.

During the meeting, discussion was also focused on the importance of continued collaboration in the education sector to benefit the students of both nations.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh across areas of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Md. Jannatul Habib Counsellor of the High Commission of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Colombo, the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

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The Ambassador of Belgium to Sri Lanka H.E. Didier Vanderhasselt paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 15th of June at the Temple Trees premises.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the efforts of Mr. Didier Vanderhasselt in strengthening the bilateral relations during his tenure and discussed opportunities to expand Belgian investment in Sri Lanka.

H.E. Didier Vanderhasselt expressed appreciation to the Prime Minister for the opportunity to meet and reflected on the positive cooperation between Sri Lanka and Belgium during his tenure.

Both sides exchanged views on cooperation in the education sector and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and further enhancing relations between Sri Lanka and Belgium.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Jonas Heirbrant, First Secretary of the Embassy of Belgium in New Delhi, the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with a delegation from UNICEF on June 12 at Temple Trees to discuss ongoing efforts to support the recovery of the education sector following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

Discussions focused on the implementation of activities outlined in the report titled “Cyclone Ditwah Education Emergency Response Plan: Phase 1 Progress Updates (January–April 2026).” The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress achieved during the initial phase of the response and to discuss future interventions aimed at supporting children and schools affected by the disaster.

The Prime Minister and the UNICEF delegation also exchanged views on strengthening collaboration to ensure the continuity of education and the well-being of affected children.

The UNICEF delegation included Emma Brigham, UNICEF Representative, Begona Arellano, Deputy Representative, and other UNICEF officials.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the use of local organic agricultural products in bakery production would provide significant support to both local farmers and the growth of the tourism industry.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the Annual meeting of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association, held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, on 12 June.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated,

At a decisive moment when the country is moving towards a new phase of economic transformation, I believe that the bakery industry has the potential to become a key driver of the national economy, rather than remaining limited to flour-based products alone.

The food production must be mainly considered the quality and safety of food. Therefore, instead of focusing solely on taste, we should introduce nutritious and healthy products to the market that are free from artificial flavourings and colourings.

By using ingredients such as rice flour, finger millet, foxtail millet, green gram, and indigenous tubers to create value-added products, the bakery industry has the opportunity to capitalize on the growing global trend towards health-conscious diets.

The use of local organic agricultural products in food prepared for foreign tourists will provide substantial benefits to local farmers while also contributing to the growth of the tourism industry. At the same time, the government remains committed to strengthening local entrepreneurs by reducing challenges related to the importation of raw materials, providing concessionary loans for new technologies, and offering the technical assistance required to meet international standards.

The government has already launched programmes through the Ministry of Industries to provide the necessary training and market linkages to help small and medium-scale bakery owners develop and expand their businesses.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Industries Chathuranga Abeysinghe, President of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association N.K. Jayawardana, and a number of members of the Association were also present at the event.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Steps to Address Issues Relating to the Use of Traditional Indigenous Lands - Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

A meeting between the Leader of the indigenous Vedda community, Uru Warige Wannila Aththo and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was held today (12) at Parliament.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the challenges faced by the indigenous community and the Leader indigenous Vedda community drew, Uru Warige Wannila Aththo drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the difficulties encountered by indigenous people in accessing and using their traditional ancestral lands.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the indigenous community has the right to enjoy and use its traditional lands without obstruction and stated that the necessary legal measures to safeguard these rights would be expedited.

The Indigenous Leader also raised concerns over the lack of relief assistance provided so far to the residents of Hennanigala who were affected by the recent Cyclone Ditwah. The Prime Minister immediately instructed the relevant officials to ensure that these families receive proper relief assistance without delay.

The discussion also focused on the shortcomings and needs of Dambana School, and the Prime Minister emphasized that the matter would be looked into and that the necessary measures would be taken.

Prime Minister’s Media Division