The history of the Sri Lankan labour movement is a remarkable journey, shaped over decades by the blood, sweat, and sacrifices made in the pursuit of rights, justice, and dignity.

Beginning with the printers’ strike of 1893, the working people of this country emerged as an organised force. Through the trade union movement led by A. E. Goonesinha and the emergence of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, the voice of labour gained political strength. The Railway Workers’ Strike of 1923 and the public service strike of 1947 reaffirmed that the true ’driving force’ behind the country’s economic and social transformation was its working people. I respectfully acknowledge the invaluable contributions of workers in the plantation  MORE >>

High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka H.E Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 30th of April at the Temple Trees premises.

Welcoming the H.E Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to assistance provided following the Ditwah Cyclone.

Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are founded on mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.
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The Ambassador of Nepal to SriLanka, H.E. Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 30th of April at the Temple Trees premises.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of H.E. Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali.

Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Nepal  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, in the face of the turbulent global environment prevailing today, agriculture is confronting significant challenges, and that food security is a crucial factor affecting a country’s stability, sovereignty, and national security.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on 28of April at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, while addressing the National Youth Agripreneur Showvase and B2B connect Conference organised under the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnership Programme (SAPP), funded jointly by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sri Lanka. The programme aims to empower rural youth to engage in agribusiness ventures.

Addre MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited and paid homage to the historic sacred city of Kataragama on 26 April.

Following the visit to the sacred Kataragama Kiriwehera Rajamaha Viharaya, the Prime Minister visited the Chief Incumbent, the Chief Sanghanayake of Ruhunu Magampattuwa, Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Nayaka Thero, and received blessings and engaged in religious observances at the historic Kiriwehera premises.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister attended the evening pooja at the historic Vishnu Kataragama Maha Devalaya. She also received blessings from the Maha Sangha, including the Chief Incumbent of Kataragama Sri Abhinawarama Viharaya, the Chief Judicial Sanghanayake of Ruhunu Magampattuwa, Shasthr MORE >>

The “Avurudu Gathering,” organized by the Welfare Association of the Prime Minister’s Office, was held on April 25 at Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister extended New Year wishes to all, hoping for a peaceful and prosperous year ahead. She expressed appreciation for the dedication, commitment, and support rendered in service. The Prime Minister also stated that she wished everyone strength and courage to continue delivering greater service from the Prime Minister’s Office for the benefit of the people.

The “Avurudu Gathering,” organized by the Welfare Association of the Prime Minister’s Office, featured MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the new education reforms will be introduced to Grade 6 in 2027, that necessary measures have already commenced to develop Piriven education, and that steps are being taken to formulate a national policy for higher education.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while paying respects to the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Abhidana Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya, following the peace walk which commenced near the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy on April 24.

Speaking to the media afterwards, the Prime Minister stated:

It is a matter of happiness for us as a country that the inter MORE >>

The third day of the “Walk for Peace” pilgrimage, which began from Dambulla to the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, commenced this morning (24) in front of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Maha Sangha of both monastic chapters. The Most Venerable Pannakara Thero, who previously led a 110-day peace walk in the United States from Texas to Washington covering ten states, arrived in Sri Lanka together with members of the Maha Sangha to lead this peace walk.

Prior to the commencement of the third day’s pilgrimage, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Maha Sangha, including Venerable Pannakara Thero, paid homage to the Sacred Tooth R MORE >>

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that care work is central to the functioning of economies and societies and should no longer be treated as a peripheral issue, while addressing the inaugural session of The South-4-Care Learning Hub: Advancing Decent Work in the Care Economy in South Asia, held on April 21 in Colombo.

The four-day regional programme, taking place from April 21 to 24, brings together countries across South Asia for a South-South knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiative organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the World Bank Group, and in collaboration with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO). The Learning Hub serves as a regional  MORE >>

Closely monitor disaster damage and reconstruction progress at the provincial level, as necessary allocations have already been made to Provincial Councils

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that compensation payments and reconstruction activities related to the Ditwah relief measures must be expedited with special attention at the district level. She further stated that all necessary allocations have already been made to Provincial Councils and instructed that the progress of disaster damage assessments and reconstruction efforts be closely monitored at the provincial level.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at a discussion held today (21) at Temple Trees under her patronage, aimed at informi MORE >>

The Vice President of India, H.E. C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya this morning (19) at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to H.E. C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister o MORE >>

Prime Minister Initiates Children into Learning at the Auspicious Time While Observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held today (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances. On this occasion, she received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sang MORE >>

Marking the auspicious transition of the sun from one planet to another, and the arrival of the spring season following the harvest, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrated by the people of Sri Lanka since ancient times, has dawned once again.

The New Year is not merely a festive occasion; it symbolizes a renewal of prosperity, unity, coexistence, and the strengthening of mutual relationships embedded within our cultural values.

On this occasion, I extend my wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year to all Sri Lankans who celebrate this occasion with their families and loved ones, observing customs at the auspicious time.

A unique feature of Sinhala and Tamil New Year is t MORE >>

A comfortable and safe public transport service is ensured for passengers.

The Colombo Central Bus Stand, which has a history of over six decades and had remained without a proper maintenance for many years, has now been renovated under the current government’s development programme and vested to the public. Following that, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection tour of the newly renovated Colombo Central Bus Stand.

Originally constructed in 1964, the bus stand was refurbished with modern facilities to meet current needs and was officially reopened to the public on April 8. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide passengers with a higher-quality and more comfortable transportation serv MORE >>

LKR 2,162 million allocated for the renovation of Colombo Fort Railway Station

Marking a new turning point in the country’s public transport sector, the large-scale project to modernize the Colombo Fort Railway Station into an international-standard transport hub was officially launched on April 9 under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Implemented under the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, this “Railway Efficiency Improvement Project” is funded by the Asian Development Bank along with government allocations, with an investment exceeding LKR 2,162 million.

The development project, which is scheduled to be completed within the next 15 months, aims  MORE >>

On this occasion of Easter, which is devoutly celebrated by Christians to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death by crucifixion, I extend wishes for for a blessed Easter filled with peace, happiness, and blessings.

The message that the resurrection of Christ conveyed to the world is that light can overcome darkness, faith can conquer fear, and happiness can triumph over suffering.

It is natural and inevitable that we have to experience various challenges, hardships, and obstacles in our lives. Yet, the Easter message reminds us that no darkness endures forever, and that the dawn of hope is always followed by challenges. It inspires us to renew our lives and to move forward with unwavering MORE >>

A society must be built in which the rights of all senior citizens are safeguarded, ensuring their safety, freedom, happiness, health, mobility, as well as their spiritual well-being.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a society must be built where all senior citizens can lead lives of safety, freedom, happiness, health, mobility, and spiritual well-being, with their rights safeguarded. She further emphasized that this is a responsibility shared by both the government and society.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on the 31st of March while virtually participating in the opening of the ’Silver Age Center,’ an Elder Care, Training and Research Centre constructed with modern facilities in K MORE >>

A discussion on accelerating recovery measures and providing relief to those affected by the Cyclone Ditwah was held on March 28 at Temple Trees, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and civil society organizations.

During the meeting, a brief report on the current status of government measures including compensation payments through District Secretariats and information related to safety camps was presented to the Prime Minister by the Chief of Staff to the President and Commissioner General of Essential Services, Mr. Prabath Chandrakeerthi.

Special attention was given to the concerns of the estate sector Estate sector Malaiyaha Tamil community affected by the cyclone, particularly  MORE >>