Water is life. There is no alternative.

The Sri Lankan inherits a great irrigational civilization that is not second to any. The expertise in irrigation and water systems of our ancestors amazed the whole world. They took great care not to let flow a single drop of water fallen from the sky to the sea without making any use of it. It was the most inspiring claim by the King Parakkramabahu the Great. They safeguarded rain water and ground water resources as of a gift from heaven and managed properly to bestow them to the next generation.

Though inherited such a history of water conservation, Sri Lanka and the rest of the world is in the verge of a drinking water crisis today. The next world war will be for water MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena inspected the progress of Uma Oya hydro-electricity project which will add 120 megawatts of electricity to the national grid and irrigate barren lands in several districts.
He entered the 3 kilometer tunnel and climb down nearly 50 meters to the power house transformer, which is schedule to generate electricity by middle of this year.

The Prime Minister spoke to project officials and the engineers of the Iranian Company that has been entrusted with the construction work. He thanked them as well as Iranian Ambassador Hashem Ashjazadeh for the excellent implementation of the long-delayed project and for granting loan facilities from Iran.

The tunnel, in addition to generat MORE >>

The Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena instructed the officials to suspend the issuance of permanent and daily excise licenses for liquor sales in the Maharagama Divisional Secretary’s division. He said this at the Maharagama Regional Coordination Committee meeting held on 20.03.2023.

He also advised them to suspend the issuance of excise permits issued daily for events such as music shows, carnivals and various other occasions.

The progress of development projects in Maharagama area was reviewed and a special attention was paid to social welfare programmes. It was revealed that 13,377 applications have been received for the government’s new social welfare programme and relevant data of 2,560 people  MORE >>

The Prime Minister made these observations while addressing the gathering on the occasion of conferring the title of Sanghanayake of Uva Wellassa Divisions to the Chief Incumbent of historical Yudagana Rajamaha Vihara, Karmacharya of Asgiri Maha Vihara, Venerable Galtamwatte Dharmakeerthi Sri Chandrajothi Nandarathana Nayaka Thera held at Yudagana Rajamaha Vihara on 18.03.2023.

The Prime Minister delivering the speech stated that the contribution, leadership, effort and innovative concepts of Venerable Nandarathana Thera to make this Yudagana temple a more preferable place of worship must be mentioned with gratitude. "On behalf of the government, we offer you our respect", he said.

Yudaganawa and Dematamal Vih MORE >>

The Prime Minister said that with the approval granted by the International Monetary Fund for the agreement by next week, the doors of our economy will be opened again to the international community. Participating in the progress review meeting of Aluth Gamak- Aluth Ratak National Development Program - a multi-sectoral joint mechanism for empowering rural economic revitalization centers to ensure food security and nutrition held at the Hambantota District Secretariat on 17.03.2023.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Hambantota district was an important center of this national programme. The district has proved that it is not only a self-sufficient district but also a district that can be transformed its produce into a surplu MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena inspected the final phase of the construction work of the UMA Oya Project, which will add 120 megawatts of electricity and irrigate barren lands in several districts.

Iran Ambassador, Hashem Ashjazadeh, Uva Province Governor A J M Musaamil, State Ministers Shashindra Rajapaksa, Jagath Pushpakumara and Chamara Sampath, MPs Sudarshana Denipitiya, Gayashan Nawanandana and Yadamini Gunawardena and project officers were present on this occasion. MORE >>

Reasonable action should be taken regarding the lands taken over from the Land Reforms Commission.- Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena

The Prime Minister mentioned that Union actions are undermining the workers’ rights, their right to organize as unions and their bargaining power when they make vengeful demands. He said this at the Progress Review Meeting on Aluth gamak- Aluth ratak National Development programme- Multi- Sectoral joint mechanism of empowering rural economic revitalization centres to ensure food security and nutrition held at the Matara District Secretariat on 17.03.2023.

The Prime Minister in his speech further mentioned that in order to overcome the most serious crisis that our country has fac MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that he did not believe that the governments should control media. However, media should ensure ethical standards, he said while addressing the gathering at the felicitation of Mr. Kumar Nadesan for conferring Pravasi Bharatiya award - the highest recognition given to a non-Indian by the Government of India.

Folowing are the excerpts from the speech of the Prime Minister;
I am delighted to be present at this occasion when we felicitate a Son of Sri Lanka, who has been awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Overseas Indian Honour).

It has been conferred on our good friend Kumar Nadesan by no lesser person than Indian President Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu herself.< MORE >>

A discussion was held between Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Governors at Temple Trees on 14.03.2023 regarding the future activities and maintenance of 340 Local Government Institutions as the term of office of those institutions ends on March 19th midnight.

Governors Tikiri Kobbekaduwa (Sabaragamuwa), Wasantha Karnagoda (North West), M.J.M. Musammil (Uwa), Mahipala Herath (North Central), Willy Gamage (Southern), Lalith U. Gamage (Central), Anuradha Yahampath (Eastern) Roshan Gunathilake (Western), Jeevan Thyagaraja (Northern), Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Public Administration Secretary Neil Hapuhinna and Prime Minister’s Legal Adviser Dr. Jayatissa de Costa participated in the discuss MORE >>

The Prime Minister held a discussion with Trade Union representatives at the Temple Trees on 14.03.2023.

The Prime Minister speaking at the occasion said that if the heritage of an institution or an organization is deteriorating a little by little, if it is falling apart, those who are working in the organization and in the trade union movement will feel the pain.
“The ministers in charge of the subject should discuss with the trade unions of the respective institutions. Some institutions implement decisions and take actions without any discussion with the trade unions. It not only frustrates the employees but an act detrimental to the existence of the institution. Taking decisions without such discussion is a hindra MORE >>

The Prime Minister stated that even though there are State Counsels and President’s Counsels, no one has come forward to correct the decision of the Crown which betrayed National heroes. He said this while addressing the gathering in the second session of Sankathana Mandapaya – academic discourse at the Temple Trees on 13.03.2023.

The key note lecture on "Udarata Rebellion and Mauritius Prisoners" was delivered by the Director General of the Department of Archeology, Prof. Anura Manatunga.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena highlighted that the most devastating effect of the proclamation issued against our National Heroes who were arrested that time was that the British rulers took over the entire lands  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has extended congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping for third tenure in Office. In his congratulatory message, the Prime Minister has stated that he hopes to continue working with the Chinese government to further strengthen the close friendship and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka. He has expressed his confidence that the new tenure will be for the benefit of citizens of the country and the world. Prime Minister’s congratulatory message is as follows.

His Excellency Xi Jinping
President of the People’s Republic of China

Excellency,

Please accept my warmest congratulations on your appointment as President of the People’ MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said in today’s digital world, a digital hub is an essential resource base for students to have access to modern knowledge. Opening the new Digital Hub at the BMS, premier university on business management, he said the move by BMS to set up its Digital Hub to connect all those involved in learning to a common net is timely and in line with the government policy.

“Like the income divide between the rich and the poor countries, there is a digital divide also between them. This need not be the case. The government has taken effective action to eliminate this divide by improving the digital literacy of fellow Sri Lankans. It is a difficult path but not an impossible one. The government e MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said with success in financial negotiations Sri Lankans have just proven we are even more capable of transforming more global crisis into greater opportunities.

Addressing the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) in Colombo on Friday (10), he said as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka applaud all of you at the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs for being here today, in this very moment.

“In the current given context, rather in a total crisis, most of you could have been well away anywhere else in the world, but no, you are here right now showing so much love and confidence towards our Motherland Sri Lanka, and running chosen businesses and industries helping the country MORE >>

The Prime Minister mentioned that the woman who makes use of new technology can efficiently contribute to the national produce. He said at a function International Women’s Day held in appreciation of the women working in the Prime Minister’s Office today (08) .

The following are excerpts from the speech delivered by the Prime Minister. A large number of women hold many responsibilities in the Prime Minister’s Office in various capacities.

The Prime Minister’s office implements various programs for the benefit of the country and the people. At this time, it is special to come together as the Prime Minister’s Office to strengthen the main theme of International Women’s Day 2023 “DigitALL: Innovation MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena called upon the state and private banks to provide new incentives to attract women to the formal banking sector. Addressing the top executives of all public and private banks at the Temple Trees today (March 7) he pointed out attracting women to the formal banking sector would help to strengthen women’s role in the economy and it would also help them to be free from informal lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates and exploit women.

Senior officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said once a new attractive scheme is announced the CBSL could address the issue of fiscal security and collateral requirements to speedily implement the scheme. International Finance Corporation (IFC) MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena opened the Medicare – National Healthcare Exhibition, Sri Lanka’s biggest healthcare exhibition at the BMICH today (March 3).

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, State Minister Sisira Jayakody, former Minister A H M Fouzie and Rajitha Senaratne, Health Secretary J C Chandragupta and Medicare President Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva were present on this occasion. MORE >>