It is also our key objective to create eco-friendly schools and environmentally responsible children through educational reforms.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that as a government of the National People’s Power, it is the national vision to build a sustainable environment that ensures the sustain of all living beings and one of the key objectives is to create eco-friendly schools and environmentally responsible children through educational reforms.

The prime minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks while addressing the opening of the newly established Moon Memorial Museum at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, on 28th of September.

The newly opened Moon Memorial Botanical Museum was established to commemorate the founder of the garde, Mr. Alexander Moon, marking the celebration of 200 years of the proud history of botany at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya.

This Botanical Museum, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for public exhibition and it provides knowledge on unique plants, plant specimens, economic crops, plant history while paralleling other international botanical museums to serve the knowledge on the public and schoolchildren, and to promote extensive knowledge on plant systems and incitive conservation.

During the occasion, the Prime Minister took part in the symbolic planting of a Pini Beraliya tree at the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens.

The Prime Minister commended the contribution made by the Moon Memorial Museum in disseminating scientific knowledge about plants, protecting ecosystems, and supporting research that advances the path toward a production-based economy and also emphasized its contribution to the tourism industry.

The Prime Minister further stated,

As a government of the National People’s Power, our national vision is to build a sustainable environment that ensures sustain of every living being.

In order to achieve this, our country needs not only different leaders but also different people, a sensitive community that shows love for the environment, animals, and oceans. We believe that such a transformation of people can be achieved through a strong cultural renewal aimed at a national renaissance. If we can create a new cultural citizen who embraces multiculturalism, is free, critical, and respectful of human dignity, that citizens will undoubtedly safeguard their natural environment, which is their rightful heritage.

The Alexander Moon Memorial Museum, opened today, can be introduced as the best opportunity to observe, study, research, and preserve our plant heritage for future generations.

This museum will become an important tourist attraction that will gain global attention and recognition, further enhancing the tourism value of the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that it is the government’s goal to create eco-friendly schools and environmentally responsible children through education reforms.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi stated that, the Department of Botanical Gardens together with the Ministry of Environment will work to expand botanical gardens apart from the five main botanical gardens along with establishing botanical gardens based on specific climatic zones.

The occasion was attended by Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment K. R. Uduwawala, Director General of the Botanic Gardens H. C. P. Jayaweera, Members of Parliament, and a distinguished gathering of invitees.

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The Prime Minister participated in the transformative exhibition Feminist Futures: Art, Activism, and South Asian Womanhood’ curated by art historian Dr. Arshiya Lokhandwala held on 26 th of September at the Lotus Gallery in National Museum Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Feminist Futures interrogates systemic violence, gender inequality, and cultural taboos, while also celebrating the resilience, autonomy, and solidarity of women.

This exhibition showcases the powerful voices of eleven South Asian artists including Anita Dube, Anoli Perera, Ashmina Ranjit, Bidhata KC, Mithu Sen, Naiza Khan, Pushpamala N, Sheba Chhachhi , Tayeba Begum Lipi, and Uma Bista, and Priyanthi Anusha from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka who critically engage with gendered histories, social inequities encountered by women in the region.

The event was attended by the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senavi, Director General of the Department or National meuseum Ms. Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi and Chairman of Sri Lanka Art Cousil Mr. Keerthi Welisarage, artists and Feminist activists.

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Answering to the question raised by the member of Parliament S. Shritharan on the reductional reforms the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government will initiate education and curriculum reforms for Grade 01 and Grade 06 starting in January 2026. These reforms will be progressively extended to all grades in the following years and complete documentation of the reforms will be submitted for Cabinet approval in the mean time.

The Prime Minister further emphasized that Tamil-speaking members are represented in all committees appointed by the National Institute of Education (NIE) and over 100 experts are currently engaged in the process, contributing to drafting the concept paper and carrying out the curriculum reform work.

The Prime Minister further highlighted that the implementation of the reforms is being overseen by Ministry of Education officials, including Tamil-speaking members, ensuring inclusivity and fairness throughout the process.

Addressing concerns on inclusion of historical content in the subject of History, the Prime Minister assured that if there are any distortions or exclusions of significant historical events or figures, they will be reviewed and sorted in accordance with the religious advisory committee within the Ministry. All modules related to religions are submitted to these committees for review, and their suggestions are carefully incorporated before publication.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the education reform process reflects inclusivity.

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A meeting between the representatives of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was held on 25th September 2025 at the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Welcoming the delegation, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need for improving capacity and governance of the public sector, along with delivering the mandate in governance of the education sector in collaboration with the South Asian Centre for Teacher Development (SACTD) located in Meepe, Sri Lanka.

Senior Associate Director of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Ms. Kartini Binte Abdul Rahman shared the goal of the School and expressed their commitment to supporting capacity development and to contributing to the training of future public sector leaders across Asia. She further expressed their enthusiasm for enhancing leadership, capacity and research opportunities for candidates in an advanced international environment.

The event was attended by Ms. Kartini Binte Abdul Rahman, Senior Associate Director, Alumni Relations, Outreach and Professional Development, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Ms. Malit Laiza Jean Latsa Senior Deputy Head of Regions, Academic Affairs, Mr. Hilman Sobahri Deputy Head of Regions, Academic Affairs, alumni of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and officials of the Ministry of Education.

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the support of everyone is essential to combat illegal activities taking place in the Indian Ocean and to put an end to drug trafficking.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 12th edition of the International Maritime conference “ The Galle Dialogue 2025,” organized by the Sri Lanka Navy under " Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics,” held at the Navy Wave and Lake Banquet Hall in Welisara.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:

For many years, this dialogue has become an international platform for discussions about the future of the Indian Ocean.

The Indian Ocean is one of the most strategic maritime regions in the world. It is not only a main route for trade and energy security but also a lifeline for millions.

However, geopolitical rivalries, environmental pressures, illegal migration, and governance challenges have emerged alongside these developments.

For centuries, the Indian Ocean has been a hub of civilizations for trade, cultural exchange, and technological progress. Today, it is evolving into a key hub of strategic needs, becoming both a stage for competition and a platform for cooperation.

Sri Lanka has well recognized the value and responsibility due to where it is situated in the Indian Ocean. Our aim is to work with all partners to make the Indian Ocean a region that is peaceful, secure, sustainable, and governed on the basis of justice and cooperation.

In the modern world, the seas face unprecedented challenges. Climate change, rising sea levels, overfishing, and pollution has now threatened the biodiversity, human security, and economic stability.

Protecting the marine environment is vital to our national survival and that is why we stand for stronger conservation frameworks, the expansion of marine protected areas, and international cooperation.

Effective maritime governance is equally critical. Beyond traditional threats, Sri Lanka is also faced with non-traditional challenges, including drug trafficking. Hereby I emphasize that this is an important responsibility of our Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The government is committed to safeguarding national security and public health and in that cause necessary preventive measures are already being implemented to combat drug trafficking.

Recognizing the evolving maritime security landscape and the decisive role of the Sri Lanka Navy, the government has allocated Rs. 92.5 billion to the Navy in the 2025 Defence Budget, an increase of 12% compared to the previous year. I consider this investment a statement of the government’s commitment to enhancing national security and protecting our maritime.

I also take this opportunity to appreciate the dedication of the Sri Lanka Navy in protecting our people and our maritime domain through regular patrols, inspections, and intelligence-based operations that lead to the seizure of narcotic consignments and the arrest of traffickers.

Sri Lanka cannot face these challenges in the Indian Ocean alone. Effective maritime security and counter-narcotics operations require the active cooperation of other nations.

Freedom of navigation, respect for international law, responding to piracy, trafficking, and illegal migration, as well as the exchange of information as such all depend on coordination and confidence-building between navies and coast guards.

In all those aspects, sailors, coastal communities, and people dependent on ocean resources face both opportunities and risks.

Navies can secure sea routes, prevent intrusions, combat illegal activities, and respond to humanitarian crises only through cooperation with one another. Sri Lanka calls upon all stakeholders to contribute to a cooperative maritime security framework founded on transparency and respect for international law.

Through cooperation, the Indian Ocean can be built as a region of peace, prosperity, and opportunity. No nation can face these challenges alone. Multilateralism, inter-state partnerships, engagement of navies, maritime industries, and civil society are all essential in this cause.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence AVM Sampath Thuyacontha, Chief of the Indian Navy Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Commander of the Army Lt. Gen. Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Vasubandhu Edirisinghe, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, and other officials representing the Tri-Forces.

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The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that it is the government’s aim to establish policies in a way that enables every community to carry on their cultural, personal, and political lives without any hindrance.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the National Sign Language Day celebrations held under the theme “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights ” today (23) at Suhurupaya, Battaramulla,

The Prime Minister further stated

The primary aim of the government is to build an inclusive society based on equality, without leaving anyone behind.

The government takes initiative in establishing and implementing policies to facilitate every community to live according to their culture, family life and political lives without any obstruction.

By everyone learning sign language and using it just like other common languages, an environment will be created where communities can live without discrimination. The government believes that a society which safeguards human rights can be established within such an environment, .

Commenting further at the event, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage, stated:

It can be seen that the initiatives have been taken in place to build a society where specific conditions of persons with disabilities are met without no one being left behind.

In order to achieve this purpose, the government has already drafted a bill on sign language. This will soon be presented to Parliament, and upon approval, the act will be implemented. Thereafter, sign language will receive the same recognition as other languages.

Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva also expressing his views:

Sign language should not remain a mode of communication only among the deaf community. By making it a widely recognized language within the entire Sri Lankan society, we can build an inclusive society. This will mark a journey of togetherness, enabling the deaf community to contribute fully to national development just like others.

This event was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha, attended by the Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment, Mr. Wasantha Piyatissa, government officials, foreign representatives, and a large number of representatives from the deaf and visually impaired communities.

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