It is important to enhance the services such as day-care centres and vocational training programmes for persons with disabilities, and community-based activities for older persons.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that special attention should be directed towards food security, water management, and energy management in preparation for anticipated impacts of El Niño.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Colombo District Coordinating Committee meeting held today (16) at the Colombo District Secretariat.

During the meeting, attention was focused on the progress of development programmes planned for 2026 as at 15 June 2026, including the Decentralized Budget Programme, Rural Roads Programme, Disaster Risk Reduction Projects, the Prajashakthi Programme, and projects implemented under line ministries.

While reviewing projects being implemented under the Ministry of Sports, a decision was taken at the meeting to establish a Sports Sub-Committee for the Colombo District and Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that future activities would be planned through this sub-committee.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also emphasized the need to pay special attention to the development of sports activities in rural schools.

Highlighting the importance of preparing for the direct impacts of the anticipated El Niño weather conditions in Sri Lanka and the global challenges following the situation, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to focus on food security, water management, and energy management. The Prime Minister further noted the importance of conducting awareness programmes on energy conservation and the efficient use.

Commenting on the programme to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities implemented under the Prajashakthi Programme, the Prime Minister stated that special attention should also be given to strengthening services such as day-care centres and vocational training programmes for persons with disabilities, and community-based activities for older persons.

The event was attended by Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara, public representatives of the Colombo District, government officials, and other invitees.

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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.

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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 Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks while participating in the occasion of ONE Tata Sri Lanka Cyclone Ditwah and Floods Response Programme to donate school kits to the schoolchildren who were affected by impacts of Cyclone Ditwah and the subsequent floods in Sri Lanka, on 12th of June in Colombo. The program was organized by the Tata Group, in partnership with ChildFund and DIMO.

As a core part of this programme, the ’Hope in a Backpack’ initiative was launched and school bags and stationary was distributed the schoolchildren by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Indian High commissioner, Mr. Santos Jha.

Addressing at the occasion, the High commissioner of India, Mr. Santos Jha highlighted the long-standing partnership between India and Sri Lanka emphasizing the shared aspiration for the development of two nations.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, delivering the keynote address, stated that initiative such as this represents a model for cooperation and how communities come together at times of crisis demonstrating the value of cooperation between governments, development partners, humanitarian organizations, the private sector and international partners.

The Prime Minister further stated that the people must be supported to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, and reaffirmed that the Government is committed to ensuring a recovery process that helps communities move forward rather than leaving them vulnerable to the same hardships in the future, emphasizing that every effort will be made to ensure that children continue to receive uninterrupted education despite any crisis or challenge.

The occasion was attended by the Guest of Honour, Indian High Commissioner Mr. Santhosh Jha, Mr. Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman of DIMO, Mr. Chacko Thomas, representatives of DIMO, TATA and ChildFund, Schoolchildren and teachers.

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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.

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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.

Prime Minister’s Media Division