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 >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government will introduce energy storage systems to maximise the utilisation of renewable energy.

The Prime Minister made these remarks in Parliament today (10), while responding to a question raised by Member of Parliament Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana.

The Prime Minister noted that Sri Lanka has set a target of generating 70% of its national electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030, and that the necessary plans have already been formulated and are being implemented to achieve this objective.

The Prime Minister further stated that, in accordance with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority’s Renewable Energy Development P MORE >>

The Government is also focusing on ensuring uninterrupted 13-year education for plantation sector schoolchildren and expanding Tamil-language vocational education.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed officials to submit, within one week, a report on the condition of every school affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a special discussion held in Parliament today (09) regarding plantation sector schools.

During this meeting, special attention was given to the damage caused to plantation sector schools by Cyclone Ditwah and the measures taken in response, as well as issues relating to land ownership, teacher vacancies, school development, and reconstru MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government has implemented a comprehensive programme to assist the fishing community and micro, small, medium, and large-scale entrepreneurs affected by Cyclone Ditwah in rebuilding their livelihoods.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while responding to questions in Parliament today (09) regarding the relief measures introduced for those affected by the disaster.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

The Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources has initiated a special assistance programme for both marine and inland fishermen affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Under this programme, new fishing vessels will be provided to replac MORE >>

Decisions must be made based on accurate data management to build an education system with equal opportunities for all.

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that as a government committed to ensuring the future of the nation’s children, it is essential to establish an education system in which every child can equally experience quality education. The Prime Minister emphasized that decisions must be made based on accurate data, sound policies, and technological evidence in order to achieve this goal.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the official launch of the first phase of the Human Resources Module of the Nati MORE >>

The ceremonial occasion of presenting the Sri Sannas Patra to the Most Venerable Panditha Walpola Vimalagnana Mahanayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Peliyagoda Gangaramaya and Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja, Dhammasenapathi, and Bhashanthara Visharada, conferring the title of Mahanayaka of the Ariyawansa Saddhamma Yukthika Chapter of the Maha Viharavanshika Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, was held on June 06 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The ceremonial occasion was held under the patronage of the Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithree Moorthi Nayaka Thero, Mahanayaka of the Maha Viharavanshika Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya. D MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Open University is the only university within the state higher education system that allows working people to enroll in higher education at any stage of their lives, and that the Government is committed to supporting and strengthening this institution.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held on June 05 with the academic staff, administrative officers, and public officials at the Kurunegala Regional Centre of the Open University.

The meeting focused on finding permanent solutions to several issues faced by the Kurunegala Regional Centre for a long time of period, including the lack of adequate space. Discussions were held on allocating  MORE >>

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that preschool education is considered the most critical stage in shaping a child’s future educational journey, and the government is committed to ensuring quality of Early Childhood Education. The Prime Minister further emphasized the need for proper supervision and monitoring of early childhood education programmes across all provinces.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a certificate awarding ceremony held on June 05 at the Kurunegala Provincial Council Auditorium for diploma holders of the 2023/2024 Preschool Teacher Training Diploma Programme conducted by the North Western Presc MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, stated that a main component of new educational reform process is to create a younger generation equiped with technology by empowering the school teaching and learning process with digital devices, and that a special program is being prepared to carry out this digitalization process based on student protection criteria and policies related to digitalization.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the national ceremony held at NW/Ibbagamuwa Kiribamuna Vidyalaya to hand over the smart boards given to secondary schools under the program to digitalize the education system, following an educational monit MORE >>

The environment is the foundation of our livelihood. It is the responsibility of the government to bequeath a secure, prosperous, and green planet to future generations.

In line with the global theme, “Urgent Climate Action,” and guided by the vision of “A Sustainable Biosphere – An Evergreen Life,” Sri Lanka commemorates World Environment Day this year at a critical moment. Drawing lessons from the climate-related challenges we have recently experienced, special attention has been directed toward protecting the water catchment areas of the central highlands and restoring ecosystems.

Under the theme “Dalulanna Idadenna” ( Let it Bloom), the Ministry of Environment has organized a series of program MORE >>

Following the 3-day visit to Sri Lanka, the Executive Board delegation of the United States Children’s Fund (UNICEF) met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 04th of June at the Temple Trees premises.

Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed her appreciation for UNICEF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in advancing the rights and well-being of children. She also commended UNICEF’s timely assistance and recovery efforts extended in response to Cyclone Ditwah.

Discussions focused on strengthening legal protections for children, including measures to prevent all forms of violence against children and address child malnutrition.
 MORE >>

The Objective of this Initiative is to Develop Villages on their unique economic strengths

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Praja Shakthi Programme represents the democratic characteristics of a people-centred governance and that its objective is to develop villages by identifying and strengthening the unique economic patterns of each area.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inaugural ceremony of the rehabilitation and recultivation project of abandoned paddy fields, implemented by the Praja Shakthi Development Council of the Nampamunuwa Grama Niladhari Division on June 2. The programme marked the launch of the Colombo District component of the “Gam Dahasak Weda  MORE >>

The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival in Colombo, organized under the guidance of Venerable Kirinde Assaji Thero of the Gangaramaya Temple, was officially inaugurated under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Following the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister also participated in the opening of the dansala held within the Gangaramaya Temple premises.

Later in the afternoon of 31 May, the Prime Minister attended the inauguration of the Sri Sarvajna Sacred Relic Exhibition held at the Dharma Shasthrodaya Pirivena Temple in Piliyandala. Upon arriving at the temple, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya paid her respects to the Chief Incumbent and received blessings. She then offered gilanpasa to the Sacred Relics  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya delivered the Bishop Cyril Abeynayake Memorial Lecture at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, addressing a distinguished gathering on the theme, “Shaping the Future of Education in 21st Century Sri Lanka and Beyond.” Attending the memorial ceremony on 30 May at the invitation of the Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Dushantha Rodrigo, the Prime Minister highlighted Sri Lanka’s rich tradition of multi-faith collaboration and plurality, as embodied by the Anglican Church.

In her address, the Prime Minister re-evaluated the historical trajectory of Sri Lanka’s educational policy. She referenced the landmark 1971 ILO Seers Report, which diagnosed the country’s economic challenges  MORE >>

Marking the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day observed on today - 30th May 2026, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the ceremonial occasions of opening of two Vesak pandals erected in Colombo.

Following the opening of Vesak pandal depicting the “Sambula Jataka”, organized by the Sri Vaishakya Society of the Magazine United Traders of Borella, the Prime Minister attended the opening of the pandal of the “Samudra Vanija Jataka” at Kosgas Junction, Grandpass, where she ceremonially lit the traditional oil lamp to inaugurate the illumination of the pandal.

The event was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha, clergy representing other religions, and attended by the Members of Parliam MORE >>

It is an honor to extend Vesak day felicitations to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which lives are shaped in accordance with the noble teachings preached by the Lord Buddha, and upholding the practice of Dhamma.

Just as the external world is illuminated by lanterns, this Vesak season should also be an opportunity to illuminate our own hearts with compassion, kindness, and wisdom. Let us dispel the roots of greed, hatred, and delusion, and transform our lives into a nobel period that brings peace and serenity.

“abhittharetha kal‍yāṇē” – Let us hasten towards the common good. The theme for this year’s State Vesak festival reflects the social needs of the present time. Wh MORE >>