Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena hoisted the Buddhist flag officially commencing the Vesak week at ancient Deepadutthamarama Thai Temple, Kotahena on 02.05.2023.

It is significant that after the Buddhist flag was designed, it was first hoisted in 1885 at this Kotahena, Deepaduttamarama ancient Thai Temple.

The Prime Minister pointed out in his speech that “the Buddhist flag following its process of designing was freshly presented to the world on this sacred land.

The festival of Vesak, the day of birth, enlightenment and mahaparinirvana of the Buddha, has been celebrated by Buddhists for centuries. Symbolizing that heritage, the Buddhist flag was first hoisted on this sacred ground and gifted MORE >>

Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, Maged Mosleh paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament on April 28.

Ambassador Mosleh said Egypt is pursuing with the Arab Ambassadors Forum to establish an Arab Sri Lanka Business Council to promote trade, tourism and investments. The ground work has been prepared for this through discussions with relevant authorities and the Chambers of Commerce, he said.

The Prime Minister requested the Ambassador to explore potential investments in hospitality industry as well as setting up export industries in export industrial zones in Sri Lanka as many incentives have been offered to foreign investors. MORE >>

Let us, as Sri Lankans, celebrate the 137th International Labour Day in a land with an immemorial history nourished by the blood and sweat of the working people.

Today we celebrate the Workers’ Day amidst the reminiscence of an unprecedented economic crisis in history. Many countries in the world that faced such crises were rebuilt with the strength of the working people. We are also gifted with that huge asset. The farmers took the initiative to rebuild our economy. First, the farmers took the lead in making the country self-sufficient. Thus there was a new awakening in every field. Therefore, on World labour Day, we resolve to strive for a better future than the one we were in.

We will not ignore the ri MORE >>

The award ceremony of the Project RUN program implemented by the Mother Sri Lanka Trust under the theme "Apen Ratata- Rata Nagumata” (From us to the country’s growth) was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees today (28).

The Project RUN program made a set of school children identify a problem in the school or the community around the particular school, and let them present solutions to that problem.

The main objectives of this program were to develop students’ patriotism, improve creativity - independence - leadership - project management ability and entrepreneurship, and providing an understanding to the generation of students to build them as responsible c MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena held a discussion with Italian Ambassador Rita Giuliana Mannella about the expansion of trade and investment relations between the two countries. He urged to explore possibility of investments in new areas during a discussion held with Ambassador of Italy Rita Giuliana Mannella and European Union Ambassador Denis Chibi when they called on him at the Temple Trees today (April 24).

The Prime Minister requested Italy to assist to set up Italian Language Departments in Sri Lankan universities and Ambassador Mannella said the Embassy is already in contact with Sri Jayawardenapura University regarding setting up an Italian Language Center. Furthermore, Italy is also interested in setting up skills  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stressed the paramount importance of uplifting vulnerable small holder families and empowering women. Speaking at the launching of two new livelihood projects to support vulnerable smallholder farming families by the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, he said these would be immensely helpful to a large segment of the population in the dry zone.

Prime Minister Gunawardena, Ambassador of Japan Mizukoshi Hideaki and Resident Representative, UNDP Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota launched the 2 new livelihood projects that address to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka at Temple Tree today.

Japan has agreed to provide approximately LKR 1,17 MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said since ancient times the religious teachings have focused on human development and meditation is the most positive way a human brain could be developed to spread the message of peace harmony and tolerance,. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for International Meditation Center at Sita Amman Temple at Sita Eliya in Nuwara Eliya today (23), he said as the most ardent devotees of Hinduism mediate at the foothills of Himalayas, the tallest mountain range in the world, the new Meditation Center at Nuwaraeliya, at the foothills of Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, Pidurithalagala could become a place of human development of the world citizens when the new international meditation center is establis MORE >>

As our Muslim community celebrates Eid al-Fitr, let’s adhere strictly to our religious teachings for a virtuous Sri Lankan society where mistrust and suspicion have no role to play.

From time immemorial, during Ramadan, the Muslim community perform their religious rituals and prayers, and helps others by giving exemplary meaning to the cultural and religious diversity in the country. Therefore, at a time when the world is facing various crises, Ramadan season provides a positive milieu to create a soothing environment in which humanity develops among the burdened people.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the active contribution of the Sri Lankan Muslim community to the country’s a MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that every government official should contribute to make this miraculously rich earth fertile through farming. He said this while participating at the Badulla district progress review meeting of “Aluth Gamak- Aluth Ratak” the National Integrated Participatory Development Programme held at Badulla District Secretariat today (20).

The Prime Minister in his speech highlighted –

"As a country, we faced various problems in the recent past. Everyone in the government service as well as the farmers gave a great support to cope with it. Today the country has overcome the challenge to some extent. But there are more to achieve.

The District Coordinating Commi MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the contribution of the Muslim community to business and various other sectors of the country is extremely important. He mentioned this at the Ifthar ceremony held at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 18.04.2023.

The Prime Minister said; "On this occasion that falls in the 75th year after independence, we would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the active contribution of the Muslim community, who live in unity in the Sri Lankan society, to the administration of the country, to the business sector, to education and various fields of profession, sports and culture. The government led by President Ranil Wickramasinghe considers it a very im MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that it was the people’s commitment and the consistent policy of the government that pushed back the tough times faced by the country. He stated this at the occasion of distributing coconut saplings at the Maharagama Divisional Secretariat on 18.04.2023.

One thousand coconut saplings were distributed to the Rural Economic Revitalization Committees established in 41 Grama Niladhari divisions of Maharagama Divisional Secretary’s division. The best 17 home gardens were issued certificates at this function. Home gardening programmes conducted in sacred places of worship, elder’s homes, schools, government institutions and homes included in the Rural Economic Revitalization  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the anointing ceremony, which is performed by the Sri Lankan people, together with the blessings of nature in the New Year is an eternal heritage. He said this while attending the anointing national ceremony held at the historic Heianthuduwa Purana Vihara in Biyagama.

The Prime Minister further stated, "Today, the whole nation has come together with this ritual. This is our heritage. Sri Lankans are the only nationals who perform such a cultural festival together with the environment. I wish the whole nation the determination and courage to build the future in this New Year."

Anointing of oil is done as the final ritual of the New Year cultural festival. The State Ministry MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that we must resolve to withstand the sufferings that have existed so far and move forward. He stated this while inaugurating the first programme of "Aluth Gamak Aluth Ratak" in the New Year on 16.04.2023 at Kottawa Siri Dhammakittikaraama Temple.

The Prime Minister in his speech further declared

"At this time, the blessings and guidance of Venerable Iththapane Dhammalankara Nayaka Thera are very important. The contribution made for the existence of Sambuddha Sasana is noticeable.

For the past forty years, I worked as your Member of Parliament and acted on the advice of Maha Sangha whenever possible. That guidance of the Maha Sangha gave me strength t MORE >>

Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA) expressed its gratitude to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena for re-naming Slave Island as Kompanna Veediya, in English. The name Kompanna Veediya used in Sinhala and Tamil while it was called Slave Island in English and the Prime Minister took steps to change it also to Kompanna Veediya.

SLMM President Rizwan Badoordeen and General Secretary Iqram Cuttilan called on Prime Minister today at the Temple Trees and briefed him on the social and cultural activities conducted by the Association.

The Prime Minister congratulated the SLMA which celebrates its 100th anniversary. Mr Badoordeen said the Sri Lanka Malay Cricket Club which was set up before the SLMA, has commemorates its 1 MORE >>

The preliminary draft of the report of the National Committee on Delimitation of Divisions for Local Government bodies was handed over to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today (11.04.2023).

Demarcation of constituencies based on geographical size and population have been listed in the preliminary draft and the said draft is to be forwarded to District Secretaries and political party secretaries shortly.

Religious leaders and various organizations have already submitted proposals to be included in this report. Committee Chairman Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya stated that the proposals being received for inclusion in the report will be considered until April 30th since the time until then is granted to prepare the fina MORE >>

The Prime Minister held a discussion on holding next month’s Vesak festival at Temple Trees on 10.04.2023 with the participation of venerable Theras representing Colombo Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandala and officials from Buddhist associations and government institutions.

The Prime Minister in his speech said;

“This discussion is being held as a program to guide our young generation to celebrate Vesak meaningfully. We are approaching a time when the missionary movement of propagating Buddhism can be directed to a new transformation. It is necessary to join hands together and work in achieving that goal.

Our great kings and ancestors have contributed to make the Vesak festival a success. Arran MORE >>

I, the Metropolitan of Believers Eastern Church at Temple Trees on Sunday (April 9). Rev Shivarghese Mor Makarious, Rev Fr Sanjay Benjamin, and Rev Fr. Sanjay Benjamin were also present on this occasion. MORE >>

Sinhala and Hindu New Year is the most significant cultural festival of Sri Lankans. We have inherited several ancient rituals that we consistently follow together at the same auspicious times and this is a unique feature that has not been practiced in any other country in the world.

We, as Sri Lankans always wish a prosperous and bountiful new year. In view of the food and economic crisis faced by the country this year, the effort taken by our farmers in making the country rich in rice produce, thus fulfilling that aspiration should be gratefully remembered in this New Year.

Our forefathers who co-existed with nature added a new meaning to the New Year. As their children and grandchildren, there is no need for MORE >>