H.E. Isabelle Catherine Martin, the newly appointed High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 15 December 2025 at Temple Trees.

The High Commissioner conveyed Canada’s condolences over the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah and reaffirmed Canada’s readiness to extend further support to Sri Lanka during the recovery process. The Prime Minister expressed her appreciation for the assistance extended by the international community, including Canada, noting that Sri Lanka has now entered the second phase of post-disaster recovery following the completion of rescue and immediate relief operations.

The Prime Minister further noted that sch MORE >>

H.E. Mr. Sergey Viktorov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 15 December at Temple Trees.

The meeting focused on Sri Lanka’s ongoing rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. The Prime Minister outlined the government’s priorities in the recovery process, including the restoration of essential infrastructure, housing, and agricultural livelihoods. She also highlighted the support extended by international partners in facilitating these efforts.

Discussions further covered the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. Both sides explored opportunities to enhance ec MORE >>

The ninth phase of the islandwide programme to recognise outstanding achievers of G.C.E. Advanced Level implemented by the Presidential Fund, was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on the 14 th of December at Temple Trees.

Under this phase, students from the Western Province who obtained excellent results at the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations in the year 2023 and 2024 were recognised. Accordingly, 361 outstanding students from the Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts were awarded scholarships amounting to LKR 36.1 million by the Presidential Fund.

Addressing at the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Presidential Fund is a public fund belonging to MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that education should not be a burden to children during the recovery period after the disaster, and priority must be given to their psychosocial well-being. The Prime Minister emphasized that this approach would help foster a supportive school environment during disaster situations.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Nuwara Eliya District on measures to restore educational activities and reopen schools for students following the recent disaster situation.

Although the Ministry of Education has decided to reopen schools island-wide on the 16 th of December, the Prime Minister noted that the auth MORE >>

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with Mr. Julian Hill, M.P., Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education of Australia, on 11 December 2025 at the Ministry of Education, Isurupaya.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the support extended by the Government of Australia with a contribution of AUD 3.5 million following the recent adverse weather conditions that affected the entire nation to provide humanitarian assistance and restore essential services. The Prime Minister further stated that Sri Lanka has completed search and rescue operations and is now beginning the next phase of recovery, focusing on resettl MORE >>

A meeting between representatives of UNICEF and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was held on the 10 th of December at the Prime Minister&rsquos Office.

During the discussion, an initial review of the new digitalization policy draft was conducted, and it was emphasized that the new digital policy must be formulated to align with the ongoing education reforms.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the digital policy should be developed in a way that supports all five core pillars of the current education reforms, including curriculum reform, infrastructure development, and administrative restructuring.

It was further noted that the current draft is primarily focused on curriculum-related matter MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government is taking steps to strengthen local exporters by making trade facilitation, customs procedures, and investment approvals more efficient, and by improving export services.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 27th Presidential Export Awards 2024/25 ceremony organized by the Ministry of Industries and Industrial Development together with the Export Development Board.

At this ceremony, which was held to recognize the best exporters of Sri Lanka for the financial year 2024/2025, a total of 107 awards including 15 overall awards and 92 sectoral awards for products and services were presented. Merit awards were also presented to el MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that accurate data is essential for the post-disaster recovery process of the country, and that a structured mechanism with public participation is needed for efficient data collection.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held on the 10th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the country’s recovery process following the recent disaster situation.

During the meeting, Professor Nihal Perera demonstrated how national development should take place in harmony with nature while minimizing natural disasters.

Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

One of the  MORE >>

A series of inter-religious programs launched across the island under the directions of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs to offer blessings for the people affected by the Ditwah Cyclone and floods and to confer prayers for all those who lost their lives during the disaster.

Accordingly, under the supervision of the Chief Prelate of Hunupitiya Gangarama temple, Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thero, a Sarwa Rathika Pirith chanting ceremony was held at the Seema Malaka of Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo. Following the offering of gilanpasa and flowers for the sacred relic by the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduwa MORE >>

We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that there will be no permission granted for unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public by carrying out under the guise of development agenda.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on December 09 at the Colombo District Secretariat.

Addressing further, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this e MORE >>

A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on 8 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office. The discussion was held under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in  MORE >>

The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.

Accordingly, Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Mini MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government stands ready to support the University of Peradeniya in rebuilding stronger, safer, and more resilient than before. She made these remarks while visiting the University of Peradeniya today (07), where she met with student representatives and Heads of Departments affected by the sudden floods that swept through the campus on 27 November.

The visit aimed to personally inspect the damage, which caused extensive harm to academic buildings, student facilities, and key infrastructure. University officials briefed the Prime Minister on the severity of the impact, highlighting significant losses to the Faculties of Management, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine, as w MORE >>

Attention must be shifted to the mental health of children living in safety camps.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that in order to restore people’s lives back to normalcy, the government will provide the relief and assistance, and that the effective cooperation of officials at the divisional level is important to ensure that essential relief reaches the public promptly.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during the Disaster Management Committee meeting held on 07 th of December at the Udapalatha Divisional Secretariat Office in Kandy, after inspecting the relief distribution and the efforts to restore the lives of the people, who affected by the damage caused in the Kandy District due to MORE >>

A special briefing for the diplomatic community in Sri Lanka was held on 4 December at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath. Senior government officials, including representatives of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), also participated.

Opening the session, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed her deep appreciation to the diplomatic community for their immediate support and solidarity following the recent floods and landslides. She noted that Sri Lanka had endured one of the most sever MORE >>

Addressing Parliament today (05), the Prime Minister stated that, in accordance with the Supreme Court decision, the recommendations issued by the Public Service Commission, and the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service Minute, all parties have agreed to recruit teachers through a competitive examination. The Prime Minister further noted that during the second phase of the recruitment process, the Development Officers currently serving in schools will be granted a special advantage during the interviews.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated,

In compliance with the final order of the Supreme Court and the provisions of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service Minute, the Development Officers will be given the opp MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that despite the recent devastation caused by severe flooding and landslides, Sri Lanka continues to recover rapidly due to the exceptional strength and solidarity demonstrated by the people. “We have taken a blow, but we are far from fallen. Our people have shown remarkable resilience, and that spirit has carried us through every crisis we have faced,” she stated while addressing the visiting NASSCOM Executive Committee and SLASSCOM leadership during their interaction held on 4th December at ICT Rathnadeepa Hotel, Colombo.

The meeting brought together NASSCOM—the apex body of India’s technology industry representing over 3,000 companies—and SLASSCOM, Sri Lanka’s  MORE >>

In response to the challenges faced by students affected by the adverse weather conditions in the country, many individuals and organizations have come forward to provide commendable support. In order to facilitate the receipt of financial donations from both local and international donors, the Government has introduced several designated bank accounts.

The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Ministry of Vocational Education, and other relevant government ministries, are responsible only for financial donations made to the official accounts introduced by the Government. The Ministry has not granted consent or approval for any financial contributions directed to the accounts of any other associatio MORE >>