Artists such as Dr. Sujatha Attanayake have taught us that truth...

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that great art knows no ethnicity, religion or language, and that its true language is humanity and unity. She further noted that the artistic creations of eminent artistes such as Dr. Sujatha Attanayake have powerfully conveyed this truth to generations of Sri Lankans.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a special felicitation ceremony held in honour of veteran songstress Dr. Sujatha Attanayake.

The special tribute programme, “Dr. Sujatha Attanayake Pranama,” organised by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), was held on July 28 at the Kumaratunga Munidasa Studio of the SLBC with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The event was organised to honour Dr. Sujatha Attanayake’s outstanding contribution of more than seven decades to Sri Lankan music and to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As part of the tribute, a portrait of Dr. Sujatha Attanayake was ceremonially unveiled at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted that Dr. Sujatha Attanayake’s musical journey, which began when she was only eight years old, had evolved into an extraordinary artistic career that has earned the admiration and affection of generations of Sri Lankans.

The Prime Minister stated that the cultural memory of a nation is shaped not only by history books but also by the songs, voices, artistic creations and memories that live in the hearts of its people. She observed that such artists become pioneers in shaping a nation’s identity and described Dr. Sujatha Attanayake as one of the finest examples of this enduring legacy.

Recalling that Dr. Sujatha Attanayake’s voice has been interwoven with the lives of Sri Lankans for more than seven decades, accompanying moments of joy, sorrow, love and devotion, the Prime Minister remarked that "Dr. Sujatha Attanayake sang not merely songs, but emotions.”

The Prime Minister further stated that Dr. Sujatha Attanayake’s life and career demonstrate the profoundly personal and transformative nature of music. She emphasized that the singer’s voice was never confined to a single ethnicity, language or culture. Through her performances of Sinhala, Tamil and Islamic cultural songs, and by fostering artistic bonds across diverse communities, Dr. Sujatha Attanayake strengthened coexistence, mutual understanding and compassion among the people of Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister also recalled that the month of July is associated with many painful chapters in Sri Lanka’s history. She stressed that these difficult memories should be passed on to future generations not as a legacy of hatred, but as a reminder of the importance of reconciliation, unity and brotherhood. She further emphasized that July should transcend the memory of “Black July” and instead become “a Month of Brotherhood” that brings all Sri Lankans closer together.

Further elaborating on these sentiments, the Prime Minister stated,"Our arts and culture have never belonged to a single ethnicity or community. Sri Lanka’s national identity has been shaped by the coming together of our diverse ethnicities, languages and cultural traditions. It is because of this rich diversity that our songs have resonated so deeply with people’s hearts, our cinema has gained international recognition, and our dance and other art forms have flourished with exceptional beauty. Enduring works of art are created not through division, but when people move forward hand in hand, respecting one another’s differences. Likewise, the future of our country can only be built if all Sri Lankans advance together in a spirit of brotherhood, cooperation and mutual respect. Artists of extraordinary talent such as Dr. Sujatha Attanayake have demonstrated this truth through their lives, their art and their deep commitment to our shared humanity.”

“Our arts and culture have never belonged to a single ethnicity or community. Sri Lanka’s national identity has been shaped by the coming together of our diverse ethnicities, languages and cultural traditions. It is because of this rich diversity that our songs have resonated so deeply with people’s hearts, our cinema has gained international recognition, and our dance and other art forms have flourished with exceptional beauty. Enduring works of art are created not through division, but when people move forward hand in hand, respecting one another’s differences. Likewise, the future of our country can only be built if all Sri Lankans advance together in a spirit of brotherhood, cooperation and mutual respect. Artists of extraordinary talent such as Dr. Sujatha Attanayake have demonstrated this truth through their lives, their art and their deep commitment to our shared humanity."

Among those present at the event were the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi , Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Kaushalya Ariyarathne , Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Professor Udita Gayashan Gunasekara, Dr. Rathna Sri Wijesinghe, Dr. Navaratna Attanayake, and many other distinguished guests.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

An awareness workshop to launch the national initiative “A Culture of Integrity – A Clean Sri Lanka” aimed at fostering a more ethical and accountable public service was held on July 27 at Temple Trees, with the participation of the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri.

The programme aims to strengthen ethics and values within the public service in alignment with the national Clean Sri Lanka programme, contributing to the Government’s key objective of enhancing the quality, efficiency, and transparency of the entire public service while establishing an exemplary, corruption-free system of public administration.

The National Integrity Week 2026, conducted under the theme “A Culture of Integrity – A Clean Sri Lanka”, will be implemented islandwide from July 27 to July 31, 2026. The initiative is not intended to be a one-week commemorative programme but rather the beginning of a short, medium, and long-term transformation aimed at bringing about sustainable change in the culture and foundations of the public service.

Addressing the occasion, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri stated that the programme provides an opportunity to rethink prevailing perceptions of good governance. He also highlighted that Sri Lanka has improved its standing in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), moving ahead of 14 countries in the global rankings.

The awareness workshop was conducted with resource contribution from Dr. Pradeepa Serasinghe, former Director General of the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA).

The workshop was participated in Senior officials, heads of divisions, and officers of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Our mandate is to establish the rule of law and restore respect and confidence in Sri Lanka’s justice system

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks in Parliament on July 24 while responding to the debate rised on the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Justice and National Integration.

Participating in the parliamentary debate on the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Justice and National Integration, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Opposition had failed to substantiate its allegations with facts and had instead relied on rhetoric and personal attacks.

The Prime Minister further stated,

“There is no doubt that the incident that occurred on 5 and 6 July was tragic, and the loss of life is unacceptable. It is not something that can be accepted or condoned in any way.

Members of the Opposition must establish, through evidence and facts, how exactly the Minister of Justice and National Integration is solely responsible for what happened, and how his conduct before, during and after the incident amounted to a breach of trust. Noise, personal attacks, venom and rhetoric do not establish facts.

What we are hearing today is a distortion of the truth, misrepresentation of facts, half-truths at best, and a deliberate effort to viciously attack a member of the Cabinet. That does not establish the intent of this no-confidence motion.

The Prime Minister further noted that many of the structural deficiencies within the prison system predated the current administration and had remained unresolved for years.

She noted that longstanding vacancies in the prison service had persisted since 2022 but that the present Government had taken steps to address them.

“During the past year, 695 prison guards have been recruited, a further 190 recruitments are underway, and 18 Assistant Superintendents have been appointed. This is the first time since 2022 that these vacancies have begun to be filled.”

The Prime Minister further emphasized that the reforms undertaken to strengthen the Government Analyst’s Department, including filling vacancies, allocating funds for essential equipment, initiating procurement processes, and reviewing procedures to improve efficiency.

Addressing the need to ensure that the numbers of people in the remand are reduced , the Prime Minister stated legal reforms were already in progress, including amendments to the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act, which will soon be presented to Parliament. The Prime Minister stated that, “It is not that the Minister has failed to address these issues. Law reform does not happen overnight. It requires due process, and those processes are well underway.”

The Prime Minister also outlined measures taken by the present Minister of justice and national integration to improve prison conditions, including expanding healthcare services for prisoners and prison staff in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, introducing inpatient and specialized medical services, appointing new healthcare personnel, and improving access to treatment.

In addition, she highlighted rehabilitation initiatives aimed at reducing reoffending, including community rehabilitation programmes and vocational training to equip prisoners with employable skills upon release.

Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to comprehensive justice sector reforms, the Prime Minister further stated,

“Our mandate was to establish the rule of law and restore respect and confidence in Sri Lanka’s justice system.”

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the Government inherited a justice system that had been weakened by years of systemic corruption, institutional inefficiencies, and longstanding structural shortcomings. The Prime Minister further stated,

The task of cleaning up a such correpured system is not easy. This incident is also needed to understand in that particular context of how the prison system was operated in the past It is this corrupted system that the Minister has been entrusted with the responsibility of cleaning up. This involves investigation within the Institution itself. It is not a easy task. This government has undertaken this difficult challenge.

It is very clear that this opposition so far will not be able to establish any facts that support the motion that they have brought forward. This is retorical exercises. This is not about justice system. This is another cheap effort by the opposition to get attention and part of a push back against the very reforms the government and the ministry has been undertaken.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Colombo District Waste Management Subcommittee, operating under the Colombo District Coordinating Committee, convened at Parliament on 22 July with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The meeting reviewed the current measures being implemented to address issues relating to the disposal of municipal solid waste in the Western Province, following up on matters discussed at previous meetings. Particular attention was also given to future plans for improving solid waste management. In addition, discussions focused on promoting the proper use of compost bins among the public.

Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to develop an effective mechanism to ensure the proper implementation of existing waste management policies. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of raising public awareness of citizens’ responsibility to dispose of waste appropriately.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara; Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Colombo District Development Committee Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi; Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara; Chief Secretary of the Western Province Pradeep Pushpakumara; officials of the Colombo District Secretariat, the Waste Management Authority (WMA), the Urban Development Authority (UDA), the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and the Colombo Municipal Council.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated in Parliament on 22 July that the key political policy of the current Government is not to use the Presidential Residence or the official bungalows previously allocated to Cabinet Ministers.

The Prime Minister stated that, although these buildings are not being used as official residences, the Government is maintaining them to prevent deterioration and has launched a special programme to repurpose them for the benefit of the public.

The Prime Minister further noted that, in line with the recommendations of the special committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers, steps are already underway to utilize the Presidential Residence and all such properties for commercial activities or other public purposes.

The Prime Minister also stated that judicial proceedings have already commenced in some of these former official bungalows, contributing to a more efficient administration of the country’s judicial system.

Rejecting claims circulating on social media that Ministers are residing in official residences or bungalows, Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized that no member of the current Cabinet is living in official residences. She clarified that while some Ministers are residing at the Madiwela Members’ Housing Complex, none are occupying official ministerial bungalows.

Reaffirming that the Government is delivering on the promises made to the people as planned, the Prime Minister stressed that it is inappropriate to raise questions in Parliament based solely on false information circulating on social media.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a discussion on July 21 at Parliament with officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Digital Economy, GovTech Agency, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Telecom, Dialog, and other relevant institutions to review the progress of the digitalisation process of the education sector.

During the discussion, officials briefed the Prime Minister on the progress made under the Task Force appointed under the leadership of Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri, with the objective of providing the required digital facilities to support the new education reforms initiated by the present Government.

The officials highlighted that several initiatives have been implemented during the past year, including the development of digital infrastructure in schools, installation of smart boards, provision of internet facilities, and supply of computers to schools.

They further informed that, with the technical assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force, significant progress has been made in the implementation of the HRM module of the NEMIS (National Education Management Information System). The data entry process for four provinces has been fully completed, while arrangements have been made to complete the inclusion of information from the remaining five provinces within the next three months.

The NEMIS system is expected to be used for teacher transfers in the future. At present, teacher transfer processes in the Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces have already commenced through this system.

Furthermore, updating and enhancing the Human Resource Management Module containing relevant data is also scheduled to be carried out in the coming period.

The progress of providing internet facilities to schools through Fibre technology was also discussed in detail. It was decided to complete the provision of these facilities by December 31. For schools where providing internet facilities through Fibre technology is practically challenging, Wireless or Satellite technology will be considered as alternative solutions.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Education will take necessary steps to proceed with the implementation process after considering competitive proposals submitted by all service providers.

The meeting also focused on several future development initiatives, including the full implementation of the LMS (Learning Management System) and NEMIS (National Education Management Information System) platforms while connecting all schools to these systems, updating the “e-Thaksalawa” digital learning platform, and entering into an agreement between the Ministry of Education and the GovTech Agency to further advance the digitalisation of education.

The occasion was attended by Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne,Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri,Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy and a group of senior government officials.

Prime Minister’s Media