National Vesak Festival was held at the Kebellawa Rathnasiri Piriven Viharasthanaya in Chilaw on 4th May with the patronage of Prime Minister’ Dinesh Gunawardena.

Issuance of 4 special stamps, handing over of Pooja Bhoomi Sannaspathra to 6 temples and several religious activities took place on this occasion.

The Mahasangha of the Three Nikayes, Minister’s, MPs, Ambassadors and large number of devotees were present on this occasion. MORE >>

A senior delegation of the Shanghai Corporation Organization’s Trade and Economic Multi-Functional Platform called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees on Wednesday (May 3) to discuss ways and means of establishing cooperation.

The Prime Minister urged the delegation to support Sri Lanka to upgrade suburban transport services in Sri Lanka using modern technical knowhow. He also requested to facilitate e-commerce modules for Sri Lanka to enter into online trade with the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

He also asked to establish cooperation between Shanghai City and Colombo City under the MoU signed in 2002.

Mr. Chen Tao, Executive Director MORE >>

The Vesak full moon day is the most sacred day of all Buddhists around the world. From time immemorial, the discipline inculcated from Buddhism greatly influenced the strengthening of national and religious harmony, and it also helped us to stand proudly in front of the world.

Today, the mankind is so keen in defining the life and there is growing interest to follow the path of Buddhism as it teaches the true philosophy of life. When people become disgruntled with the materialistic world, they are naturally tempted to search the tranquility taught in Buddhist philosophy.

Not only that, the self-management taught in Buddhism can also contribute to alleviating the crisis situation we are facing today.
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Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena paid respectful felicitations to leading Buddhists monks who were awarded honours by the Republic of Myanmar at the Temple Trees on May 3. Ven. Prof. Kamburugamuwe Wajira Thera was honoured with highest award of Abhidajamaha Rattaguru award by Myanmar. Several other monks were also awarded by Myanmar.

Myanmar’ prestigious title of Aggamahapanditha has been awarded to Ven Omare Kassapa Thera, Ven Inguruwatte Piyananda Thera and Ven Prof. Muwaatagama Gnananada Thera and the title Saddhammajyothikadaja has been awarded to Ven Getaberikande Rathanasara Thera.

By awarding our leading monks by Myanmar has not only recognized their immense services for Buddha Dhamma but also  MORE >>

On a concept of Venerable Elle Gunawamsa Thera, Incumbent of Dharmayathana, the inauguration of a special programme in Colombo and Island-wide to mark Vesak Festival took place with the hoisting of Buddhist flags on thousand passenger Three- wheelers with the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Dharmayathana, Colombo 07 today (May 03).

Delivering a speech at the occasion the Prime Minister stated that the contribution of Venerable Elle Gunawamsa Thera is commendable in order to further promote Vesak festival in the especial Vesak Zone in and around Dharmayathana. On behalf of the government, we would like to thank all the people led by the Mahasangha for participating in the display of the Buddhist flag on Thre MORE >>

The Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees today (May 3).

The Prime Minister thanked India for continuous support given to Sri Lanka and expressed his gratitude to the Indian Air Force for immediately responding to the call for support during recent maritime disasters in Sri Lankan waters.

Air Marshal Choudhury said India would build a ’Friendship Auditorium’ at the Sri Lanka Airforce Base in Trincomalee as a symbol of close cooperation between the two Air Forces. He said the two Air Forces would conduct a joint exercise on disaster management in the last quarter of this year in Sri Lanka water MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena hoisted the Buddhist flag officially commencing the Vesak week at ancient Deepadutthamarama Thai Temple, Kotahena on 02.05.2023.

It is significant that after the Buddhist flag was designed, it was first hoisted in 1885 at this Kotahena, Deepaduttamarama ancient Thai Temple.

The Prime Minister pointed out in his speech that “the Buddhist flag following its process of designing was freshly presented to the world on this sacred land.

The festival of Vesak, the day of birth, enlightenment and mahaparinirvana of the Buddha, has been celebrated by Buddhists for centuries. Symbolizing that heritage, the Buddhist flag was first hoisted on this sacred ground and gifted MORE >>

Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, Maged Mosleh paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament on April 28.

Ambassador Mosleh said Egypt is pursuing with the Arab Ambassadors Forum to establish an Arab Sri Lanka Business Council to promote trade, tourism and investments. The ground work has been prepared for this through discussions with relevant authorities and the Chambers of Commerce, he said.

The Prime Minister requested the Ambassador to explore potential investments in hospitality industry as well as setting up export industries in export industrial zones in Sri Lanka as many incentives have been offered to foreign investors. MORE >>

Let us, as Sri Lankans, celebrate the 137th International Labour Day in a land with an immemorial history nourished by the blood and sweat of the working people.

Today we celebrate the Workers’ Day amidst the reminiscence of an unprecedented economic crisis in history. Many countries in the world that faced such crises were rebuilt with the strength of the working people. We are also gifted with that huge asset. The farmers took the initiative to rebuild our economy. First, the farmers took the lead in making the country self-sufficient. Thus there was a new awakening in every field. Therefore, on World labour Day, we resolve to strive for a better future than the one we were in.

We will not ignore the ri MORE >>

The award ceremony of the Project RUN program implemented by the Mother Sri Lanka Trust under the theme "Apen Ratata- Rata Nagumata” (From us to the country’s growth) was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees today (28).

The Project RUN program made a set of school children identify a problem in the school or the community around the particular school, and let them present solutions to that problem.

The main objectives of this program were to develop students’ patriotism, improve creativity - independence - leadership - project management ability and entrepreneurship, and providing an understanding to the generation of students to build them as responsible c MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena held a discussion with Italian Ambassador Rita Giuliana Mannella about the expansion of trade and investment relations between the two countries. He urged to explore possibility of investments in new areas during a discussion held with Ambassador of Italy Rita Giuliana Mannella and European Union Ambassador Denis Chibi when they called on him at the Temple Trees today (April 24).

The Prime Minister requested Italy to assist to set up Italian Language Departments in Sri Lankan universities and Ambassador Mannella said the Embassy is already in contact with Sri Jayawardenapura University regarding setting up an Italian Language Center. Furthermore, Italy is also interested in setting up skills  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stressed the paramount importance of uplifting vulnerable small holder families and empowering women. Speaking at the launching of two new livelihood projects to support vulnerable smallholder farming families by the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, he said these would be immensely helpful to a large segment of the population in the dry zone.

Prime Minister Gunawardena, Ambassador of Japan Mizukoshi Hideaki and Resident Representative, UNDP Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota launched the 2 new livelihood projects that address to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka at Temple Tree today.

Japan has agreed to provide approximately LKR 1,17 MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said since ancient times the religious teachings have focused on human development and meditation is the most positive way a human brain could be developed to spread the message of peace harmony and tolerance,. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for International Meditation Center at Sita Amman Temple at Sita Eliya in Nuwara Eliya today (23), he said as the most ardent devotees of Hinduism mediate at the foothills of Himalayas, the tallest mountain range in the world, the new Meditation Center at Nuwaraeliya, at the foothills of Sri Lanka’s highest mountain, Pidurithalagala could become a place of human development of the world citizens when the new international meditation center is establis MORE >>

As our Muslim community celebrates Eid al-Fitr, let’s adhere strictly to our religious teachings for a virtuous Sri Lankan society where mistrust and suspicion have no role to play.

From time immemorial, during Ramadan, the Muslim community perform their religious rituals and prayers, and helps others by giving exemplary meaning to the cultural and religious diversity in the country. Therefore, at a time when the world is facing various crises, Ramadan season provides a positive milieu to create a soothing environment in which humanity develops among the burdened people.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the active contribution of the Sri Lankan Muslim community to the country’s a MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that every government official should contribute to make this miraculously rich earth fertile through farming. He said this while participating at the Badulla district progress review meeting of “Aluth Gamak- Aluth Ratak” the National Integrated Participatory Development Programme held at Badulla District Secretariat today (20).

The Prime Minister in his speech highlighted –

"As a country, we faced various problems in the recent past. Everyone in the government service as well as the farmers gave a great support to cope with it. Today the country has overcome the challenge to some extent. But there are more to achieve.

The District Coordinating Commi MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the contribution of the Muslim community to business and various other sectors of the country is extremely important. He mentioned this at the Ifthar ceremony held at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 18.04.2023.

The Prime Minister said; "On this occasion that falls in the 75th year after independence, we would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the active contribution of the Muslim community, who live in unity in the Sri Lankan society, to the administration of the country, to the business sector, to education and various fields of profession, sports and culture. The government led by President Ranil Wickramasinghe considers it a very im MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that it was the people’s commitment and the consistent policy of the government that pushed back the tough times faced by the country. He stated this at the occasion of distributing coconut saplings at the Maharagama Divisional Secretariat on 18.04.2023.

One thousand coconut saplings were distributed to the Rural Economic Revitalization Committees established in 41 Grama Niladhari divisions of Maharagama Divisional Secretary’s division. The best 17 home gardens were issued certificates at this function. Home gardening programmes conducted in sacred places of worship, elder’s homes, schools, government institutions and homes included in the Rural Economic Revitalization  MORE >>

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said the anointing ceremony, which is performed by the Sri Lankan people, together with the blessings of nature in the New Year is an eternal heritage. He said this while attending the anointing national ceremony held at the historic Heianthuduwa Purana Vihara in Biyagama.

The Prime Minister further stated, "Today, the whole nation has come together with this ritual. This is our heritage. Sri Lankans are the only nationals who perform such a cultural festival together with the environment. I wish the whole nation the determination and courage to build the future in this New Year."

Anointing of oil is done as the final ritual of the New Year cultural festival. The State Ministry MORE >>