Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited “It’s about”, a mobile history museum which was placed at Colombo Public Library premises on August 22 with the aim of encouraging school children to explore the history of Sri Lanka after independence.

This mobile museum, launched in 2019, has so far been exhibited in 11 cities across 10 districts in 7 provinces of the country, and is now being presented in Colombo for the first time. The exhibition, which commenced on August 19, will continue until August 23 at the Colombo Public Library premises . It is created to highlight significant events in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history, presents information under the themes of nation and national identity building, conflicts, and the economy, covering the period from the 1940s to the present day.

Through various explorations and interactive activities, the exhibition primarily seeks to inspire children to reflect on questions such as: What is history? Who writes it? In what different ways can history be studied?

The mobile museum is organized by the Collective for Historical Dialogue and Memory (CHDM), with the support of the Institute for Social Cohesion and Peace (SCOPE), in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka. The initiative is funded by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office.

The event was attended by H.E. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka, Mr. Nicholas Lamade, Country Director of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Sri Lanka, and Ms. Tanuja Thurairajah, Executive Director of the Collective for Historical Dialogue and Memory (CHDM).

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We are always willing to listen and recorrect and be responsive for public sentiment.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while answering a question raised by the member of Parliament S. Shritharan on 22 August at the Parliament.

The prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the new government in Sri Lanka is committed to ensuring the protection of all people without exception or division and stated that all are equal citizens of this country who are worthy of the same level of respect, acceptance, dignity and humanity.

The Prime Minister further stated:

As a government we try to always promote and consistently promote ideas that bring about unity, respect, empathy, accountability and respect for human rights.

We can see how easily institutions can be dismantled or weakened if that culture of respect for human rights is not something that is normalised or accepted within a society. We can start with the statements, the narrative that we have framed as a government. We have consciously tried to avoid narratives that discourse the seeds of division, hatred or violence.

All representatives of our government starting from president have consistently maintained this narrative. We have stood by our pledge not to resort to rasism, to provoking violence, hatred as a means of survival or maintaining power.This is an important shift that we need to acknowledge.

We are always willing to listen and to give space for public consultation to be heard and we are willing to recorrect and be responsive to public sentiment.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

A special felicitation program organized by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in honor of Dr. Nanda Malini was held on August 22 at the Kumaranatunga Munidasa Hall of the Corporation, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The purpose of this program was to pay tribute to the great service rendered by Dr. Nanda Malini for more than nearly seven decades to the field of music in Sri Lanka as well as to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As a token of appreciation, a building of the Corporation was also named after her and ceremonially opened.

Accordingly, within the premises of the Corporation, a portrait of Dr. Nanda Malini was unveiled, and its 9th Cabin was officially declared open under the name Dr. Nanda Malini Building” by the Prime Minister together with Dr. Nanda Malini herself.

Thereafter, addressing the ceremonial gathering, the Prime Minister stated:

Seventies years ago, a little girl came to this Broadcasting Corporation to sing for the children’s program ’Lama Pitiya.’ On that day, she sang the first song ’Dura Pawane Me Kulu Guwane.’ Recognizing her extraordinary vocal talent, Dr. Pandit Amaradeva offered her the opportunity to sing for Sri Lanka’s first color film ’Ran Muthu Duwa.’ That little girl singer recorded her voice at this very Corporation for the beautiful lyrics ’Galana Gagaki Jivithe Dayalu Lokaye.

Today, the opening of a building of the Broadcasting Corporation in the name of that very girl is indeed a remarkable occasion. That is Dr. Nanda Malini who is an epitome of music in this nation.

Nanda Malini was never just another name in our musical tradition. Beginning with Ran Muthu Duwa, her artistic journey was never limited merely to conventional themes such as love and separation. She fearlessly directed her voice toward contemporary issues of our nation such as oppression, corruption, violence, and social injustice.

The voice of Dr. Nanda Malini is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of this country. The joy you have given us, the inspiration drawn from your songs, and the strength you provided to this nation even in its darkest times through your music, we are deeply grateful for that noble service.

This occasion was graced by the presence of the Venerable Pathegama Gnaneswara Thero and Maha sangha, Rev. Saman Maximus, Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Health and Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Chairman of the SLBC Prof. Udhitha Gayashan Gunasekara, along with artists and a large number of distinguished guests.

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Officials of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs held a discussion with Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on August 21 at the Parliamentary Complex regarding the ways to promote school sports and resolving existing issues in the respective sector.

During the discussion, attention was drawn to the need for building a stronger collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sports in order to address prevailing issues related to school sports as well as licensing issues faced by sports associations, challenges faced by sports coaches, and the development of sports schools. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for every student to participate in sports.

Highlighting the need for fostering a sports culture in schools that prioritizes the physical and mental well-being of students over competitiveness, the Prime Minister also stressed the importance of regular meetings between the two ministries to continue discussions on resolving existing problems. Moreover, attention was paid to establishing a computer-based application system for applying to sports competitions.

The discussion was attended by the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Sugath Thilakaratne, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Additional Secretary (Subject Coordination) of the Ministry of Education Udara Dikkumbura, and Chairman of the National Sports Council Priyantha Ekanayake, along with other officials.

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Sri Lanka needs a new narrative about youth.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks while participating in a special meeting and open discussion organized by the Parliamentary Caucus for Youth, held on August 19 at the Parliament.

The event was organized to coincide with International Youth Day, which fell on August 12.

Extending her best wishes to the newly appointed members of the Parliamentary Caucus for Youth, the Prime Minister stated:

In the past, women’s representation in the Youth Parliament has been very low. This year, it has changed. The same transformation that has taken place in Parliament is now emerging across all sectors. Accordingly, for the first time in history, women’s representation in the Youth club National Youth conference has increased.

When looking back at the history of youth in this country, what we hear most often is about youth violence, youth unrest, and youth deaths.

But now, Sri Lanka needs a new narrative about youth, different from that past reality. For that, you have been given not only a unique opportunity, but also a responsibility

On this occasion, commemorative gifts were presented to 52 representatives of the Parlimentary Caucus Youth.

The event was attended by Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramarathna, Deputy Chairperson of Committees Ms. Hemali Weerasekara, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Senewiratne, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Youth Affairs Mr. Eranga Gunasekara, Director General of the Parliamentary Caucus for Youth, Attorney-at-Law Supun Wijerathna, Members of Parliament, and a number of members of the Youth club National Youth conference.

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Following the presentation of the Sannas Patra, the Prime Minister, addressing the gathering, stated:

Today marks a special day for this temple, as we have offered the Sannas Patra declaring the ancient Sankhapitthi Temple in Kothalawala, Kaduwela as a Rajamaha Viharaya sacred site, to our Chief incumbent Thero. This is an especially significant occasion, as it coincides with the birthday of the present Chief Incumbent, Most Venerable Kanangama Narada Thero, who is providing spiritual leadership to this temple. I pray for his good health and long life to engage in meritorious service for many more years.

The old Buddha shrine here is confirmed by archaeologists to contain ancient paintings and statues belonging to the Gampola and Kotte eras. Today, I had the fortune to witness this priceless jewel of our historical heritage with my own eyes, and I feel truly delighted.

The history, culture, and heritage of a country play a vital role in ensuring social harmony and unity among its people. Our heritage provides the foundation that empowers us to build a strong future. Preserving these heritages in a manner that earns the respect of all citizens is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us as a government. Therefore, I consider it a privilege to have been able to participate in this important occasion.

The event was graced by the presence of the Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Murthi Thero of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya; the Venerable Balapitiye Siri Seewali Thero, General Secretary of the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha and members of the Maha Sangha; deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Gamagedara Dissanayake;Mayor of Kaduwela Municipal Council, Mr. Ranjan Jayalal; Members of Parliament, Mr. Asitha Niroshan and Ms. Kaushalya Ariyarathna; other political authorities, government officials, and a large number of members of the Dayaka Sabha of the temple.

Prime Minister’s Media Division