Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Piriven education must be strengthened to ensure the revitalization of the Buddha Sasana in the face of challenges emerging from broader social transformation, and that reforms to Piriven education should be undertaken with a clear understanding that Piriven institutions and schools serve distinct purposes.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the National Piriven Day State Ceremony 2026, titled “Sasunata Diridena Surakimu Pirivena,” held today (19) at the SIBA premises in Pallekele.

The National Piriven Day State Ceremony was jointly organized by the Piriven Education Branch of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Edu MORE >>

Rs. 180 million has been allocated solely from the Central Cultural Fund for the conservation of Gallangolla Mulamaha Viharaya

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks on June 19 while attending the commencement of restoration work at the Pothgul Mulamaha Viharaya in Gallangolla, Welamboda, Udunuwara, which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. The restoration project is being undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Central Cultural Fund.

The restoration activities at the temple commenced under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Ambanpola Sarada Nayaka Thero.

Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harin MORE >>

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that if Sri Lanka is to nurture the future leaders, children must be exposed from the primary education itself to the experiences and values gained through fields such as aesthetics and sports.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the “Punchi Hapannu 2026” occasion to recognize and appreciate the winners of the Primary Literary Skills, held on 18 June at Polpithigama National School during an educational inspection tour in the Kurunegala District.

The event was organized to recognize the winners of the “Punchi Hapannu 2026” Language and Literary Skills Competition, whi MORE >>

Minister of Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that ensuring the education and well-being of children is not solely the responsibility of the government and the teachers, but also a shared responsibility of all citizens. The Prime Minister made these remarks on 18 June while attending the occasion of foundation stone-laying for a new two-storey building at Walaswewa Gunapala Malalasekara Model School in Maho.

Established in 1936 as a temple school and later brought under the government school system, Walaswewa Gunapala Malalasekara Model School was compelled to close in 2004 due to various reasons. However, after being reopened, it has developed into a distinctive educatio MORE >>

Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that it is the Government’s priority to create an environment that enables all children, without discrimination, to access the opportunities in the modern world and to confidently pursue their dreams.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Annual Prize-Giving Ceremony for the year 2025 at St. Bernadette’s Model School, Kurunegala, during an education inspection tour in the Kurunegala District on 18 June 2026.

During the event, prizes were awarded to students who had demonstrated outstanding achievements in various subjects and grades during the year 2025 by the Prime Min MORE >>

It has been identified that 126 school hostel buildings within the island’s school system are in a dilapidated condition and that maintenance activities have not been carried out adequately. As a result, education and living conditions of the students have been negatively affected.

Accordingly, in order to address this situation and to provide students with a quality and suitable educational environment, the Government has taken steps to upgrade the essential facilities of the hostels. In this regard, Cabinet approval has been granted for the proposal submitted by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, to implement the project for  MORE >>

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 Program MORE >>

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.
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The Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka held a cordial and constructive meeting with Ambassadors and representatives of the European Union at Temple Trees on 15 June to discuss matters of mutual interest and further strengthen bilateral relations.

During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in key areas, including trade, investment, sustainable development,women’s welfare, and good governance.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts and commitment to advancing gender equality and enhancing opportunities for women’s participation in governance. Attention was also drawn to existing challenges and the need for continued policy support, capacity  MORE >>

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 fr MORE >>

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 o MORE >>

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 ens MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the use of local organic agricultural products in bakery production would provide significant support to both local farmers and the growth of the tourism industry.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the Annual meeting of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association, held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, on 12 June.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated,

At a decisive moment when the country is moving towards a new phase of economic transformation, I believe that the bakery industry has the potential to become a key driver of the national economy, rather than remaining limited to flour-based products alone.

 MORE >>

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. Sant MORE >>

Steps to Address Issues Relating to the Use of Traditional Indigenous Lands - Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

A meeting between the Leader of the indigenous Vedda community, Uru Warige Wannila Aththo and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was held today (12) at Parliament.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the challenges faced by the indigenous community and the Leader indigenous Vedda community drew, Uru Warige Wannila Aththo drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the difficulties encountered by indigenous people in accessing and using their traditional ancestral lands.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the indigenous community has the right to enjoy and use its tradi MORE >>

Special Dengue Prevention Week Declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21

Decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease amid the concerns over the severe risk of spreading dengue currently prevailing in the Colombo District.

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held today (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit,  MORE >>

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the occasion of the ceremonial opening of the new Sasakawa Memorial Sri Lanka–Japan Cultural Centre on 11th of June 2026.

The cultural centre, commissioned by the Sasakawa Memorial Sri Lanka–Japan Cultural Centre Trust and situated at No. 85, Ward Place, Colombo 07, is a landmark development designed to promote cultural exchange, education, professional training and bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan.

The New Sasakawa Centre was ceremonially opened by Cutting the Ribbon by the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka H.E. Akio ISOMATA, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Minister of Buddhasasana, Rel MORE >>