Ms. Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on 22 June at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Welcoming the Governor, the Prime Minister recalled the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Australia, particularly in the sphere of education. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral collaboration with an emphasis on education reform, vocational training, and institutional partnerships.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed the delegation on the Government’s priority to deliver outcomes that address the immediate needs of the people in light of the recent economic and political challenges. She elaborated on ongoing education reforms, including strengthening higher education policy and regulating non-state higher education institutions, alongside reforms in vocational education and the introduction of vacation streams in schools.

The meeting was held in the presence of H.E Paul Stephens, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, along with senior Australian officials. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewe, Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, and Ms. Udani Gunawardena, Director of the East Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the goal of participating in sports should not be solely about victory, but the values of unity and the positive attributes that we can receive from the sports.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the closing ceremony of the 50th Annual Inter-School Swimming Championship, organized by the Schools’ Aquatic Sports Association, held on June 22 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the closing ceremony of the 50th Annual Inter-School Swimming Championship, organized by the Schools’ Aquatic Sports Association, held on June 22 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

During the event, the Prime Minister presented awards to winners in several swimming and diving categories. The overall boys’ swimming championship was won by St. Joseph’s College, Maradana, for the 20th consecutive year while the overall girls’ championship was secured by Colombo Ladies’ College, and the overall mixed schools’ championship was won by Lyceum International School, Wattala.

In the diving events, the overall girls’ championship was won by the team from Bishop’s College, Colombo, and the boys’ championship was secured by Royal College, Colombo.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister stated:

We must teach our children to accept both victory and defeat with equal grace.

Even in a time when education often feels burdensome, sports have enabled students to develop vital qualities such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

I was truly amazed to witness your talent today. It brings me great joy to see such a high level of skills among our children.

Throughout the history, Sri Lankan athletes have brought great pride to our nation on international stages. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to them. To those of you standing before me today, I wish you the strength and courage to carry the name of Sri Lanka to the international level.

The event was attended by the officials from the Ministry of Education, members of the Schools’ Aquatic Sports Association, school principals, and representatives from Nestlé Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that digital learning systems should be introduced while ensuring the fair distribution of human and physical resources across all schools.

The Minister of Higher Education, Education and Vocational Training, Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held on 20th of June with the Task Force appointed by the Cabinet to oversee the Digital Education Transformation (Grades 6–13).

The discussion focused on initiating a digital transformation in the education sector, addressing related challenges, and implementing necessary policies.

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

The current shortage of over 42,000 teachers in national and provincial schools must be urgently addressed.

As a solution to the existing teacher shortage, special attention should be given to introducing digital learning systems within the next six months to minimize the learning gap by effectively utilizing existing resources.

Under the primary objectives of this Task Force includes ensuring equal distribution of facilities for all schools, including the differently abled community. The Prime Minister noted that a strong, multi-sectoral Task Force is essential in achieving this goal.

Appointment letters were presented to the officers of the Task Force during the event and Secretary to Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Task Force.

The occasion was attended by Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Secretary to Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Mr. Varuna Dhanapala, members of the Task Force, and several other officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have expressed their full support for the new education reforms undertaken by the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya alongside the current government.

These remarks have been made during a discussion held today (June 20) at Parliament premises between the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Mr. Takafumi Kadono, ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, along with other ADB representatives

During the discussion, the Prime Minister explained the ADB representatives on the steps already taken for the new education reforms and the implementation of the new reforms for the upcoming year within school education, including the respective challenges involved.

The Prime Minister elaborated on future plans of the government regarding the preparation of new curriculum, development of human resources in the education sector, improvement of infrastructure, and initiatives in general education, vocational training, higher education, and early childhood development.

The Asian Development Bank conveyed their satisfaction with the new education reforms and reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the development of education sector including teacher training, infrastructure upgrades, and the advancement of digital technology.

The meeting was attended by ADB representatives, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, and other officials from the Ministry of Education.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

A meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche, along with representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), was held today (20) at the Parliament.

During the discussion, matters concerning the ensuing peace and the promotion and protection of human rights in Sri Lanka, as well as sectors such as health, governance and financing, gender equality and women’s empowerment, education, economic revitalization, climate change, agriculture, and fisheries were addressed.

The meeting also focused on the future plans related to the projects proposed by UNICEF and the representatives of UNICEF emphasized their willingness to support the government’s forthcoming measures based on the report by the committee on child abuse.

The meeting was attached by UNICEF Representative Andreas Karpati, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Sagarika Bogahawatta, and Director General Dayani Mendis of the United Nations Human Rights Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Human Development Report for the year 2025, issued under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was officially presented to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on June 19.

The theme of this year’s Human Development Report is "People and Capabilities in the Age of AI (Artificial Intelligence)." The report discusses how artificial intelligence should be used responsibly and ethically.

The primary objective of the report is to highlight how AI can be utilized to empower public imagination, and thereby contribute to shaping the economy of a country and society in the process of development.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratna, Sri Lanka Resident Representative for UNDP program Azusa Kubota, and UNDP Sri Lanka Policy Specialist for Strategic Engagement and Innovation Team Fadil Bakir.

Prime Minister’s Media Division