As we celebrate this joyous season, let us take a moment to reflect on the true essence of Christmas togetherness, gratitude, and peace.

In this time of transition and rebuilding for our nation, the importance of spending quality time with family and friends cannot be overstated. Coming together, sharing meals, and supporting one another strengthens not only our bonds but also our resilience. These moments remind us that building a healthy community and a strong nation begins at home.

We also acknowledge those who cannot be with their loved ones during this festive season. To those working far from home, both within our country and overseas, to support their families, and to the essential service workers who sustain our communities thank you.

As we celebrate, let us carry in our hearts the hope for peace in a world troubled by ongoing conflicts, where countless civilians, including many children, are being killed. Christmas reminds us to reflect, forgive, and reconcile - values that inspire us to seek harmony within our families, communities, and the wider world.

While we revel in the festivities, let us also prioritize safety. Let us care for ourselves and others by staying vigilant and making responsible choices.

May this season inspire us to nurture connections, build resilience, and commit to unity and understanding.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!


Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
25th December 2024

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the Chinese Navy hospital ship "Peace Ark" at the Port of Colombo this morning (December 24) as part of its Mission Harmony-2024 initiative. The visit was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E. Qi Zhenhong and the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr.Pradeep Saputhanthri.

The Peace Ark arrived at the Port of Colombo on December 21 and will provide free medical examinations and treatment services to the people of Sri Lanka from December 22 to December 27, 2024.

During her visit, the Prime Minister commended the humanitarian efforts of the Peace Ark and expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for extending this gesture of goodwill to the Sri Lankan people. She highlighted the importance of such initiatives in maintaining bilateral relations and supporting public health.

The Chinese Ambassador emphasized the importance of the ship’s mission in strengthening cooperation between Sri Lanka and China, while the ship’s medical team showcased the state-of-the-art facilities and services available onboard. Commander Major-General He Yongming, Commander Major-General Ying Hongbo, Captain Deng Qiang, and other officials from the Chinese Embassy attended the occasion.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Her Excellency Ms. Steluta Arhire, Ambassador of Romania to Sri Lanka, paid a farewell visit to the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Prime Minister’s Office on 23 December marking the conclusion of her tenure in Sri Lanka.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed her appreciation to Ambassador Arhire for her dedicated efforts in strengthening the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Romania. The Prime Minister commended the Ambassador’s contributions and conveyed her best wishes for Ms. Arhire’s future endeavors. Dr. Amarasuriya also reaffirmed her commitment to further enhancing the close ties between the two nations in the years to come.

Also present at the meeting were Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; and Ms. Shobini Gunasekera, Director General for Europe and North America at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, met with Mr. Takafumi Kadono, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Sri Lanka Resident Mission, at the Prime Minister’s Office today. The discussions underscored ADB’s role as a key development partner and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing Sri Lanka’s national development priorities.

During the discussion Prime Minister emphasized the importance of developing school infrastructure, teacher training, and assessment mechanisms. ADB reaffirmed its commitment to addressing challenges in the education sector through ongoing projects, including initiatives to enhance teacher and principal training.

The Sri Lankan delegation at the meeting included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewe, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Samantha Bandara, Director General; Mr. Ranjith Garusinghe, Acting Director of the ADB Division; Ms. Dananji Amarasinghe, Assistant Director of the ADB Division at the Department of External Resources, Ministry of Finance; and Ms. Lashinka Dammullage, Director of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, welcomed H.E.May-Elin Stener, the Ambassador of Norway to Sri Lanka, during a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office today.

The discussion focused on fostering a collaborative partnership between the two nations, with key topics including poverty alleviation, social protection measures, tax reforms, renewable energy, and employment generation. Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of transforming Sri Lanka’s education system and highlighted ongoing efforts to digitize governance for improved public service delivery.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both the Norwegian Embassy and the Sri Lankan government, including Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Ms. Shobini Gunasekera, Director General of the Europe and North America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division.

Develop a proper system to regulate private degree institutions

The gap between schools should be closed

The people are demanding a comprehensive transformation beyond education reforms, the gap between schools should be closed and a systematic program is needed to regulate private degree institutions, said the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The Prime Minister said this during discussions with senior officials of institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, namely the Asian Teacher Development Center, the National Education Commission, and the Non-Governmental Higher Education Sector.

Pointing out the need to close the gap between schools, the Prime Minister also urged the officials to consider it a national responsibility beyond a job.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a comprehensive educational transformation beyond the educational revolution that took place with the Kannangara education reforms is needed, and that the current government is committed to achieving it.

Pointing out the need for a national education management system, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya recalled the need for a future generation that is compatible with the modern technological world that covers all fields.

Her attention was also drawn to protecting children from fraudulent degree institutions, the legal framework for that, and the quality of non-state higher education institutions.

The event was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Director General of the Meepe South Asian Teacher Development Center Kamal Pathmasiri, Additional Secretary of the Non-Governmental Higher Education Division Chandima Janaki, Chairperson of the National Education Commission Padmini Ranaweera and a group of senior officials of those institutions.

Prime Minister’s Media Division