The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid her last respects to the remains of the late veteran lyricist, Ven. Rambukkana Siddhartha Thero, at Sri Sudarshanaramaya Temple in Wellawatte on 20 August.
Prime Minister’s Media Division MORE >>
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need to establish a strong research culture in Sri Lanka founded on curiosity, academic freedom and integrity.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the inauguration of the 19th International Research Conference (IRC 2026) held at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in Ratmalana.
The main theme of this year’s conference is “Rethinking Governance, Infrastructure and Innovation for a Future Emerging from Crisis.”
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that vulnerable communities are the most severely affected during times of crisis, and that the country’s future resilience must be b MORE >>
Every system in which Children are present must have mechanisms in place to ensure their safety
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasised that children should be given adequate time to enjoy their holidays, ensuring their mental health and rest. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of ensuring child protection mechanisms across every system and environment in which children are present.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during the Second Reading debate on the Bill to amend legislation relating to the employment of women, young and children.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
Our policy statement adopts a broader approach to child protection. MORE >>
සම්මානනීය දෘශ්ය කලාකරුවකු හා චිත්ර ශිල්පියකු වන ශ්රී ලංකා දෘශ්ය කලා අනුමණ්ඩලයේ සභාපති ප්රගීත් රත්නායක මහතා විසින් ඉදිරිපත් කරනු ලබන “උත්තම පුරුෂ - First Person” දෘශ්ය කලා ප්රදර්ශනය අග්රාමාත්ය ආචාර්ය හරිනි අමරසූරියගේ සහභාගීත්වයෙන් අගෝස්තු 19 වැනිදා කොළඹ Art Rizome කලාගාරයේදී විවෘත කෙ MORE >>
Steps Being Taken to Further Formalise the Process of Appointing Principals
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated in Parliament that, as the appointment process for school principals has not been conducted in a systematic manner for a considerable period of time, discussions are being held with the Public Service Commission to review the existing procedure and introduce the necessary changes to formalise the process.
The Prime Minister made these remarks in response to a question raised by Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijeweera regarding whether, in addition to basic educational qualifications, other performance-related qualifications are considered when appointing principals to schools.
The MORE >>
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that pathways should be created for all children to progress towards obtaining a degree, with subjects appropriately structured within the education system being created through the new education reforms, rather than focusing solely on the existing education system.
The Prime Minister made these remarks at a discussion held today (19) at Parliament with officials of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the University Grants Commission, and representatives of the All Ceylon Nurses’ Association.
The discussion focused particularly on expanding nursing education beyond a diploma to enable students to pursue a degree, as well as establ MORE >>
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya today (19) presented the amended Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament for approval, with the aim of strengthening the prevention of corruption, investigations and prosecutions in Sri Lanka, while ensuring transparency, accountability and good governance in public administration.
The key objectives of the amendments are to address legal and interpretational issues that have arisen in the implementation of the Act, inconsistencies between the Sinhala and English texts, challenges related to corruption investigations and prosecutions, administrative matters of the Commission, and practical and technical issues concerning the submission of declarations of assets and liabilities through the cen MORE >>
A high-level discussion was held on 18th August under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister to strategically plan the digitalization of special education and expand assistive technology for learners with disabilities. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne and MP Sugath Wasantha, the Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to MODE Mr. Varuna C Dhanapala and Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa participated. Officials from ministries of education, health and rural development were present.
The discussion emphasized that the pilot must be planned in every detail, taking to account of sector-specific challenges, as poorly designed implementation could result MORE >>
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that religious and cultural festivals such as the Bellanwila Esala Perahera play a significant role in preserving Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural heritage from generation to generation and keeping it alive for future generations.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the 76th annual Bellanwila Esala Perahera, held yesterday (15) at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya.
The Prime Minister noted that the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya holds a significant place not only in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage but also in the preservation of the country’s cultural and artistic heritage. She said that an Esala Perahera is not merely a colourful cultu MORE >>
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the spiritual guidance rendered by the Maha Sangha and their support in strengthening values within society provide an invaluable strength for the Government’s efforts.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the ceremony to confer the title of Mahanayaka Thero of the Shyamopali Vanavasa Nikaya on the Most Venerable Mahakande Rathanapala Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Wathuruwila Vanavasa Sangha Headquarters and Director of the Sri Gnananda Vanavasa Maha Pirivena, held on August 15.
Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
The service rendered by the Most Venerable Mahakande Rathanapala Ther MORE >>
Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. Pankaj Khimji, and the accompanying Omani delegation met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on 13 August.
The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral trade between two countries and broadening investment, opportunities in Sri Lanka considering the prevailing favorable conditions in the country for business partnerships.
H.E. Pankaj Khimji expressed Oman’s interest in funding for selected projects while exploring investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya welcomed increased Omani inves MORE >>
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need to modernize Sri Lanka’s education and assessment systems to move beyond an examination-centred model and promote skills, creativity, experiential learning and holistic development.
The Prime Minister made these remarks Aug 12 at the public lecture “250 Years of Educational Excellence: Lessons from a Sri Lankan American,” delivered by Fulbright Specialist Dr. Priyanvada Abeywickrama in Colombo.The event was organized by the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, an autonomous, bi-national commission that has promoted mutual understanding and peace between the United States and Sri Lanka through academic, cultural and professional exchanges since 1952. MORE >>
Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that vocational and technical education must be recognized as an equally valuable and respected pathway within Sri Lanka’s national education system, as the Government marked the successful completion of the GIZ Vocational Training in Sri Lanka (VTSL) Phase II Project Aug 12 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.
The project was implemented by GIZ with the support of the German Government through BMZ, in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), to strengthen Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister expressed her appreciation to the Governments o MORE >>
The Government is committed to provide maximum support for responsible investments that uphold human rights and protect the environment.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that Sri Lanka’s doors are always open to transparent, long-term investments, and that the Government will provide maximum support for responsible investments that uphold human rights and protect the environment.
The Prime Minister made these remarks on 12 August in Colombo while participating in the Asia-Pacific SDG Investment Forum, organised by the United Nations Global Compact and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the forum, held under the theme “Forward Faster Now,” Prime Minister Dr. Harini MORE >>
Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Shohei Hara, and the accompanying delegation met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 11 August at Temple Trees.
The Prime Minister expressed her appreciation for the longstanding support extended by JICA towards Sri Lanka’s development and particularly acknowledged Japan’s assistance during the recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.
The discussion focused on Sri Lanka’s post-disaster recovery and reconstruction priorities, including the rehabilitation of roads, railways and other critical infrastructure. The importance of strengthening the country’s disaster preparedness, risk reduction and read MORE >>
Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, accompanied by a delegation, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 11 August at Temple Trees.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the SDG Investment Forum, convened as a part of “Forward Faster Now 2026”, the UN Global Compact’s flagship convening event for the Asia-Pacific region, organised in collaboration with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI).
Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya appreciated the initiatives l MORE >>
H.E. Adel Ibrahim, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 11 August at Temple Trees.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the Prime Minister conveyed her appreciation for his dedicated service and contribution towards strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and Egypt during his tenure.
The discussion focused on further strengthening bilateral relations, with particular attention to opportunities for enhancing investment and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Egypt.
The attention was also drawn to the cooperation in the civil aviation sector, with both sides recognising the opportunities for further collaboration in th MORE >>
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that overcoming the economic crisis alone should not be the country’s ultimate goal, and that a broad economic and institutional transformation is essential to ensure Sri Lanka’s sustainable progress.
The Prime Minister made these remarks on August 11 in Colombo while participating in the inauguration of the 39th Annual Convention of the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA).
The convention was held under the theme “ENVISIONING SRI LANKA : BEYOND RECOVERY.” During the event, the OPA Journal was presented to the Prime Minister, while the official logo of the 39th Annual Convention was also unveiled.
Addressing a MORE >>
