Colombo, Sri Lanka – November 26, 2024

The “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign was officially inaugurated yesterday, November 25, 2024, with a national event held at Town Hall , Colombo. This year’s campaign, themed “Towards a GBV-Free Sri Lanka: Safe Public Spaces for All”, commenced with a keynote address by the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government representatives, development partners, diplomats, civil society activists, and the media, united in their commitment to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) and create safe, inclusive public spaces in Sri Lanka.

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"If we are to restore the Parliament as a supreme institution, which has faced public scorn and disapproval in the past, we must act with the awareness that we are the representatives of the people," stated Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during the inaugural session of the awareness workshop on parliamentary procedures for new members of the Tenth Parliament, held this morning (25).

In her address, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya congratulated the newly elected members of Parliament, stating:

"I extend my congratulations to all of you who have been elected to serve as members of the Tenth Parliament. This Parliament holds a historic and s MORE >>

In exercise of the powers vested in the Minister by Section 20 (4) (b) of the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978, the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, has appointed Senior Professor R.M.U.S.K. Ratnayake as the Competent Authority to continue the administrative activities of the University of Ruhuna, in place of the Vice-Chancellor, with effect from 25th of November 2024.

The relevant Gazette is enclosed herewith.

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Ms.Sun Haiyan, deputy minister of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party (IDCPC), paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Temple Trees in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from the International Liaison Department of the CPC, along with H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, and officials from the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka.

Representing Sri Lanka, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Paulraj, Hemali Weerasekara, Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Committees, Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Member of Parliament, as well as Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Ms. Ruwanthi Delpitiya, D MORE >>

Vocational education should be a respected choice, offering a clear pathway from school to higher education while contributing directly to the economy,” stated Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. She emphasized the important role of vocational education during the official commencement of duties by Mr. Nalin Hevage, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, at Nipunatha Piyasa, Narahenpita.

Highlighting education as a priority for the government, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of integrating school education, higher education, and vocational education as interconnected components of the education system. She called for a shift in societal attitudes, noting that vocational education must  MORE >>

Dr. Madura Seneviratne, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, officially commenced his duties today (22nd) at the Ministry of Higher Education in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, along with ministry officials and heads of affiliated institutions.

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Nalin Hewage, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, highlighted the essential role of government officials in supporting the responsibilities entrusted to the government by the people.

Deputy Minister Hewage officially assumed his duties today (22nd) in a ceremony held at the Nipunatha Piyasa in Narahenpita, with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presiding over the event.

In his address, Deputy Minister Hewage stated, "We are all beneficiaries of free education. It is now our collective duty to ensure that government officials provide their full support to the government that has earned the trust of the people. Your commitment is vital, not only for the government but also for the MORE >>

Following the appointment of Mr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala as the Speaker of the Tenth Parliament. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday 21st of November, the Prime Minister highlighted Mr. Ranwala’s qualifications and commitment to public service. His appointment was proposed by Dr. Amarasuriya and supported by Minister Vijitha Herath.

Extending her congratulations, Dr. Amarasuriya said, "I congratulate you on your appointment as the new Speaker of the Tenth Parliament. Your extensive experience and dedication to upholding democratic principles make you exceptionally suited for this role. Your clean political record and consistent advocacy for the people stand as a testament to your integrity."

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya officially assumed duties on the 20th November as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education at the ministry.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya expressed her commitment to fostering an educational framework that empowers students and prepares them to become well-rounded citizens capable of leading the country into a new renaissance era.

In her address, the Prime Minister stated, "It is both a privilege and a responsibility to take on this ministerial role in the education sector. Education has been prioritized under the new government’s policies, and we focus to ensure that it is delivered systematically, effectivel MORE >>

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the newly appointed 17th Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, officially took office this afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office on Flower Road. Following her swearing-in earlier today, Dr. Amarasuriya has formally commenced her duties, marking the beginning of her tenure as the country’s Prime Minister.

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Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. She also took oath as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.

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Yesterday (07), British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick and Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri met at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The British High Commissioner commended Sri Lanka for its efforts to boost economic growth, including restructuring its foreign and domestic debt, enforcing the Anti-Corruption Act, and strengthening national security.

The Prime Minister’s Secretary, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, emphasised here that the new government is committed to creating a production-based economy by focusing on improving agriculture as well as developing education and health sectors to ensure food security.

The emphasis was on fostering tourism and creating new oppor MORE >>

Yesterday (07), Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya convened a meeting with senior officials from key government institutions, under the Ministry of Technology, and public sector institutions providing information technology services.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of advancements in science and technology within the ministry and reviewed the ongoing progress of IT services to foster Sri Lanka’s development. Key discussion topics included digitization efforts, the integration of artificial intelligence, and current challenges to IT development in the public sector.

Pradeep Saputantri Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, science, and Technology Ms.Thilaka J MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya recently met with key figures from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), including Mr. Sumathi Dharmawardena, President’s Counsel, the newly appointed Independent Chair of the ICC ACU, and Mr. Alex Marshall, (CBE, QPM) General Manager of Integrity and Human Resources, ICC.

During the discussion, Mr. Alex Marshall noted Sri Lanka’s progress in combating corruption in cricket over the past seven years, emphasizing the importance of player education and strengthening the Ministry of Sports’ Special Investigations.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Andrew Ephgrave, Senior Manager, of ICC ACU Operations; Mr. Vije Bandara, Senior Attorney  MORE >>

A meeting between the Chinese representatives headed by Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, the Prime Minister’s Secretary, and Mr. Liu Jiongtian, the Vice Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Henan Province of the People’s Republic of China, was held at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday morning (05).

As stated by the Prime Minister’s Secretary, the historical link between Henan Province and Sri Lanka has grown out of cultural ties that date back to the early days of the Silk Route.

Mr. Liu Jiongtian explained to the Prime Minister’s Secretary how modern agricultural technology, renewable energy products, electric vehicle and mobile phone manufacturing industries, and other technologica MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a discussion with senior officials of the Ministry of Justice and its affiliated institutions yesterday afternoon (05) at the Ministry.

The meeting focused on enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the Inspector General’s Department in providing inspection reports and addressed key operational aspects of the Attorney General’s Department.

Notable attendees included Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputantri, Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, Local Government, and Labor, S. Aloka Bandara, Solicitor General Ayesha Jinasena, Legislative Draftsman Dilr MORE >>

The medical unit established for the Prime Minister’s Office has been dismantled yesterday (05). The secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputantri formally handed over the medical officers, staff, equipment, medicines, and two ambulances which has been included in the unit to the Ministry of Health.

The handover took place at the Prime Minister’s Office, with Mr. Saputantri presenting the relevant documents and keys to Health Ministry Secretary Mr. Palitha Mahipala.

The human and physical resources from this unit will now be redirected to serve public health needs under the Ministry of Health.

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