Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, arrived in Canada on June 24, 2025, to attend the Meeting of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors in Vancouver.

Upon her arrival, she was warmly received by senior officials from the Government of the Province of British Columbia, the Commonwealth of Learning, and the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, in coordination with and facilitated by Global Affairs Canada.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya graced the special community event titled “An Evening with Dr. Harini Amarasuriya” in Surrey, British Columbia. The event offered a unique opportunity for the religious leaders and members of the Sri Lankan origin community to interact with the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed for Canada this early morning (24) to participate in the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors as the representative of the South Asian region.

The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors will be held from June 24 to 26 in Vancouver, Canada.

The summit will primarily focus on key sectors of education and training of children and women, higher education, teacher education, lifelong learning, and the integration of digital technology to enhance active learning.

Discussions will also focus on the topics of investing in innovation and research, supporting the digital transformation of institutions and organizations, implementing effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and promoting gender equality.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, held a meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Prime Minister’s Office on 23 June.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya welcomed the High Commissioner and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working constructively with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). She noted that the recent political transition marks a significant shift in Sri Lanka’s political culture, rooted in a historic mandate received from all communities.

The Prime Minister outlined the Government’s focus on three key pillars: alleviating rural poverty, advancing digitalization, and pursuing legal and political reforms alongside the necessary social transformation and institutional changes. She reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting and promoting the full spectrum of human rights, including social, educational, health, and economic rights, and emphasized that reconciliation remains a priority, supported by strengthening domestic mechanisms such as the Office for Missing Persons (OMP), the Office for Reparations (OR), and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR).

High Commissioner Volker Türk expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka’s continued engagement and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in advancing human rights, democratic governance, and national reconciliation.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, and other officials from the United Nations. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism; and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Ms. Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on 22 June at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Welcoming the Governor, the Prime Minister recalled the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Australia, particularly in the sphere of education. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral collaboration with an emphasis on education reform, vocational training, and institutional partnerships.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed the delegation on the Government’s priority to deliver outcomes that address the immediate needs of the people in light of the recent economic and political challenges. She elaborated on ongoing education reforms, including strengthening higher education policy and regulating non-state higher education institutions, alongside reforms in vocational education and the introduction of vacation streams in schools.

The meeting was held in the presence of H.E Paul Stephens, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, along with senior Australian officials. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewe, Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, and Ms. Udani Gunawardena, Director of the East Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the goal of participating in sports should not be solely about victory, but the values of unity and the positive attributes that we can receive from the sports.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the closing ceremony of the 50th Annual Inter-School Swimming Championship, organized by the Schools’ Aquatic Sports Association, held on June 22 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the closing ceremony of the 50th Annual Inter-School Swimming Championship, organized by the Schools’ Aquatic Sports Association, held on June 22 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

During the event, the Prime Minister presented awards to winners in several swimming and diving categories. The overall boys’ swimming championship was won by St. Joseph’s College, Maradana, for the 20th consecutive year while the overall girls’ championship was secured by Colombo Ladies’ College, and the overall mixed schools’ championship was won by Lyceum International School, Wattala.

In the diving events, the overall girls’ championship was won by the team from Bishop’s College, Colombo, and the boys’ championship was secured by Royal College, Colombo.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister stated:

We must teach our children to accept both victory and defeat with equal grace.

Even in a time when education often feels burdensome, sports have enabled students to develop vital qualities such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

I was truly amazed to witness your talent today. It brings me great joy to see such a high level of skills among our children.

Throughout the history, Sri Lankan athletes have brought great pride to our nation on international stages. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to them. To those of you standing before me today, I wish you the strength and courage to carry the name of Sri Lanka to the international level.

The event was attended by the officials from the Ministry of Education, members of the Schools’ Aquatic Sports Association, school principals, and representatives from Nestlé Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that digital learning systems should be introduced while ensuring the fair distribution of human and physical resources across all schools.

The Minister of Higher Education, Education and Vocational Training, Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held on 20th of June with the Task Force appointed by the Cabinet to oversee the Digital Education Transformation (Grades 6–13).

The discussion focused on initiating a digital transformation in the education sector, addressing related challenges, and implementing necessary policies.

Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

The current shortage of over 42,000 teachers in national and provincial schools must be urgently addressed.

As a solution to the existing teacher shortage, special attention should be given to introducing digital learning systems within the next six months to minimize the learning gap by effectively utilizing existing resources.

Under the primary objectives of this Task Force includes ensuring equal distribution of facilities for all schools, including the differently abled community. The Prime Minister noted that a strong, multi-sectoral Task Force is essential in achieving this goal.

Appointment letters were presented to the officers of the Task Force during the event and Secretary to Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri has been appointed as the Chairperson, and the Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B.M. Ashraff has been appointed as the Secretary of the Task Force.

The occasion was attended by Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Secretary to Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Mr. Varuna Dhanapala, members of the Task Force, and several other officials.

Prime Minister’s Media Division