The “Anubudu Vandana” Poson Zone, organized by the Boralesgamuwa Urban Council was ceremonially inaugurated under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the historic Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya on 29 June.

Upon her arrival at the historic Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, the Prime Minister visited the Chief Incumbent, the Most Venerable Bellanwila Dhammarathana Nayaka Thero. The Prime then proceeded to the sacred Bodhi Maluwa, where she took part in religious observances and received blessings.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister officially declared the “Anubudu Vandana” Poson Zone open to the public by ceremonially illuminating the festival.

The Prime Minister also attended a Bakthi Gee performance presented by Dhamma school students.

The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairman of the Boralesgamuwa Urban Council Nishantha Wedamulla, other distinguished invitees, local residents, and a large gathering of devotees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that true national development is achieved not merely through the advancement of physical infrastructure and material resources, but by fostering and strengthening a sense of national identity, moral values, and cultural bonds within the hearts of every citizen.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inaugural ceremony of the “Anubuddhabhi Vandana” Divulapitiya Poson Grand Perahera , organized for the first time jointly by the Divulapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha and the Divulapitiya Divisional Secretariat, as the Chief Guest on June 28.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated:

“With the arrival of Arahant Mahinda Thero in Sri Lanka, we were blessed with the noble teachings of the Buddha and inherited a rich cultural heritage, noble values, and a system of governance inspired by the Dasa Raja Dharma (the Ten Royal Virtues). It was through the light of the Dhamma that our ancestors were able to demonstrate their ingenuity to the world by creating magnificent irrigation systems and towering stupas.

Festivals such as the Anubuddhabhi Vandana Poson Grand Perahera, modelled on the sacred Sri Dalada Perahera, the country’s foremost cultural festival and a unique cultural tradition of global significance, make a significant contribution to the holistic national development our country seeks to achieve.

By preserving and showcasing Sri Lanka’s proud perahera tradition through such celebrations to the world, we nurture a generation that respects others, values unity, and works collectively towards common goals with a shared sense of purpose.”

The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, Gampaha District Members of Parliament Dharmapriya Wijesinghe and Hemamali Weerasekara, the Chairman and members of the Divulapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, the Divisional Secretary, government officials, and a large gathering of local residents.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The “Poson to Colombo too’” National Scout Poson Zone, organized for the first time by the Sri Lanka Scout Association, was inaugurated in Colombo on 28 June 2026 under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The Poson Zone has been organized under the concept of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with the coordination of the Presidential Secretariat and the support of both the public and private sectors.

Religious observances were conducted under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thero. Following the presentation of the ceremonial casket containing the inauguration message, the Prime Minister officially declared the Poson Zone open.

Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of further expanding the Scout Movement within the school system and appreciated the service rendered to society through religious and community-based programmes of this nature.

The Poson Zone will remain open to the public on 28 and 29 June, from 6.00 p.m. to 1.00 a.m. The Zone extends across the areas including the Sri Lanka Scout Headquarters on Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 02, the Lake House Roundabout to the Sri Lanka Police Headquarters Roundabout.

The occasion was attended by the President of the Sri Lanka Scout Association Ransiri Perera, Chief Commissioner Attorney-at-Law Manoj Nanayakkara, the Commanders of the Tri-Forces and the Police, government officials, and invitees.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Poson Full Moon Poya Day, commemorated in remembrance of the Dhamma mission of Arahant Mahinda Thero in establishing the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka, is a sacred day that reminds us of spiritual awakening, wisdom, and social harmony.

Poson Poya Day is significant not only as a religious observance in Sri Lankan history, but also it is a symbol of transformation of culture, moral way of life and thinking of an entire nation. Buddhist philosophy introduced to the country through the arrival of Arahant Mahinda Thero in Sri Lanka, has shaped our national identity for centuries.

Poson Poya Day reminds us that true development begins within the human mind. By uphelding a society on the noble values of compassion, empathy, equality, discipline, and responsibility, we can achieve the shared vision of building a peaceful, fair, and prosperous Sri Lanka.

Today, our country is embarking on a journey with a renewed hope. In order to mark the success of this journey, economic progress let alone is not sufficient. We also need a society grounded on moral values. The true essence of the Poson Poya Day that upholds the morality, non-violence, and compassion serves as a guiding light toward the government’s vision of building a disciplined and prosperous society.

On this sacred occasion of Poson Full Moon Poya Day, I extend my wishes for all Buddhist devotees for peace, wisdom, and prosperity.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

The progress and continuous improvement of higher education remain among the important responsibilities in building a knowledgeable, skilled, and capable society.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the journey towards national progress requires collective effort and a shared commitment, and the progress and continuous improvement of higher education remain among the most important responsibilities in building that knowledgeable, skilled, and capable society.

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks while participating as the Chief Guest at the 48th Annual Sessions of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka (IIESL) on 27th of June at BMICH.

The institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka has been established to protect the professional interests of the ’Incorporated Engineer,’ who is one of the key groups in the global classification of engineering practitioners, which includes Chartered Engineers, Incorporated Engineers, and Engineering Technicians.

During the event, membership certificate was awarded to the dedicated new members of Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka by the Prime Minister.

Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the programmes and initiatives undertaken by the Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka will continue to empower its members to advance in their professional journeys and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the nation, noting the contribution of engineering professionals to national development.

The Prime Minister noted that in a rapidly evolving global economy, where skills and competencies are increasingly measured against internationally recognised standards, the limited recognition of certain engineering qualifications has constrained employment and career opportunities for many capable professionals and that addressing these challenges, she said, is essential not only for the advancement of individual practitioners but also for strengthening Sri Lanka’s engineering capacity and global competitiveness.

In this regard, highlighting the Government’s commitment to education, the Prime Minister stated that the continuous improvement of higher education remains a national priority. She noted the Government is committed to building an education system that provides meaningful opportunities for individuals to expand their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and contribute effectively to the country’s future.

The Prime Minister further stressed that achieving these goals requires continuous dialogue and collaboration between the Government, educational institutions, professional bodies, industry, and other stakeholders stating that the journey towards national progress requires collective effort and a shared commitment.

The event was attended by the President of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka, Eng. M.P. Ananda Gunawardana, Vice Chancellor of the University of Vocational Technology, Prof. K.M.G. Prasanna Premadasa, Chairman of the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka, Eng. Dr. Tilak De Silva, council members, past presidents of the Institution, newly admitted members, and distinguished invitees

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) officially commenced its 93rd Annual Scientific Session held today(26) at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The event highlighted the nation’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare through scientific innovation, prevention, and inclusivity.

The Prime Minister opened the session by congratulating the student gold medalists, distinguished researchers, and scholarship recipients honoured at the event. She noted that these achievements reflect the dedication of Sri Lanka’s academic institutions to fostering an evidence-based, innovation-driven healthcare workforce.

Commending the SLDA’s legacy spanning more than nine decades, the Prime Minister praised the Association’s longstanding role in promoting knowledge exchange, strengthening national collaboration, and upholding professional standards.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that public health extends beyond hospital care, noting that good health begins with preventive lifestyle choices.

“Oral health is an important part of this journey,” the Prime Minister stated. “A healthy smile is not only about having strong teeth; it is connected to good nutrition, a child’s ability to learn, an adult’s ability to work, and the overall wellbeing and dignity of every person.”

Highlighting global data, she observed that oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide. In Sri Lanka, significant challenges remain, including dental caries among children, widespread periodontal disease among adults, and the high prevalence of oral cancer among men, which is strongly associated with tobacco use, areca nut chewing, and betel quid consumption.

The Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s firm commitment to strengthening a preventive healthcare framework aimed at reducing the national burden of non-communicable diseases. She noted that the Government will continue to build on successful initiatives, including school dental services and community-based healthcare programmes.

The Prime Minister also urged the medical community to embrace emerging technologies, strengthen indigenous research capabilities, and adapt international best practices to further enhance the country’s public health system.

She welcomed the increasing participation of women in the dental profession, emphasizing that greater representation should be accompanied by equal opportunities in specialist training, research, leadership, and decision-making roles.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, SLDA President Dr. Ananda Rathnayaka, and leading dental professionals, researchers, and academics.

Prime Minister’s Media Division