The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarsuriya, attended as the chief guest of the formal welcoming event for the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Richard Marles, held today (March 3) at Australia House in Colombo during his diplomatic visit to South and Southeast Asia.

While addressing the Event, The Prime Minister highlighted the long-standing and growing bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Australia, which have been strengthened through cooperation in various sectors such as political, economic, educational, defense, social, and cultural. She also emphasized the importance of Australia’s support to Sri Lanka, especially during challenging times, and expressed optimism about further expanding trade and economic ties between the two countries.

The occasion was attended by His Excellency Paul Stephens, the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, as well as officials from the Australian Defense Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with several Members of Parliament and chief officials of the Defense, Sri Lanka.

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The Government is ready to implement practical English teaching approaches through the new education reforms

The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that teaching English as a language should serve as a means to broaden opportunities, not as a tool to create social disparities, and the government is ready to implement practical English teaching approaches through the upcoming education reforms.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the Sri Lanka Education Conference 2025, organized by the British Council in Colombo on June 3.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for wide-ranging cooperation to build an inclusive and equitable education system aligned with future needs. Therefore, the government is in need of the support of national and provincial government officials, Ministry of Education representatives, development partners, private sector stakeholders, teachers, and school leaders.

The primary goal of the new initiative is to ensure fair access to English education by creating opportunities for all students, fostering inclusivity, and promoting quality. Key aspects include empowering teachers and institutions, strengthening English-medium instruction, and enhancing digital tools for innovation and learning.

It must be brought to attention that how every student in Sri Lanka should be prepared for the advancing future. I strongly believe that we must move away from the mindset of ’being enslaved by the English language’ and instead promote it as a socially beneficial tool.

Learning the English language should be promoted as a means of expanding opportunities, not as a contributor to social disparities. It is important to ensure that access to English education is not determined by social class, geography, or family background, and should ensure that everyone is provided with equal opportunities.

The government plans to introduce new education reforms in 2026, and within them, the English language will not merely be treated as an exam subject. Instead, students will be encouraged to actively use the language through speaking and writing skills.

It is important that the teachers also play an active role in reducing students’ anxiety around language use, and students should be encouraged to understand that being understood by others or foreigners is sufficient when speaking English. The assessment methods for English should also be revised. These aspects are considered key components of the upcoming education reforms.

Plans are also in place to strengthen teacher education systems, enhance pre-service and in-service training, modernize curricula, and implement continuous professional development programs to equip teachers for delivering the new syllabi effectively.

Given the increasing demand for English-medium education, the government aims to expand the number of English-medium schools from 825 to at least 1,000. Additionally, steps are being taken to increase the number of bilingual teachers and provide training to those already in service.

Digital technology is rapidly transforming the teaching and learning landscape. However, disparities still exist between students who have unlimited access to these tools and those who cannot afford any. Bridging this digital divide is a key responsibility of the government and is a focus of the new education reforms. The government is ready to train teachers in the use of the latest technological tools to ensure students have equal access to them.

The Prime Minister further emphasized the need to be mindful of the risks in the digital world and reiterated that delivering quality education to schoolchildren through new education reforms requires collective support from all sectors.

The event was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawala and the respective officials of the Ministry, representatives of the British Council, language scholars, teachers, and a large number of schoolchildren.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held two important diplomatic meetings at Temple Trees, engaging with both regional and international partners to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

In the first meeting, the Prime Minister welcomed the European Parliamentary Delegation for discussions focused on mutual interests, cooperation in governance, and support for Sri Lanka’s development and democratic transition. The meeting served as an opportunity to further enhance dialogue between Sri Lanka and the European Union.

Representing the Sri Lankan side were Mrs.Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms.Lakmali Hemachandra, Member of Parliament,Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Vraie Cally Balthazar, Mayor Candidate of the National People’s Power (NPP) for the Colombo Municipal Council, and Ms. Isurika Karunarathne, Director of the Europe and North America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.

In the second engagement, Mr. Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister to discuss economic collaboration and trade relations between Sri Lanka and China.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka, and a delegation of senior Chinese government officials. Representing Sri Lanka were Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Dharshana M. Perera, Senior Director General (Bilateral) of the Economic Affairs Division, and Ms. Udani Gunawardena, Director of the East Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The 75th anniversary celebration of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, was held on May 30 at the Taj Hotel in Colombo under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

As a recipient of an ICCR scholarship, the academic experience I received in India had a significant impact on my life. It was not merely structured education, it was a valuable opportunity to understand the depth and diversity of Indian etiquette, culture, and intellectual traditions. Moreover, the cultural relationship between Sri Lanka and India is deeply rooted.

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) established in Colombo in 1998, has created a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, cooperation, and friendship between the two nations. Organizing over 300 cultural events annually including exhibitions, dance and music performances, conferences, yoga and Ayurveda sessions, and literary programs, this Centre plays a timely and vital role in strengthening the good relations between the two nations.

In just the past two years, six Sri Lankan cultural troupes have been invited to perform in India. These exchanges powerfully illustrate how cultural diplomacy can transcend borders and politics, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

I take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the scholarships provided to Sri Lankan students for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies in India. Notably, the Nehru Memorial, Rajiv Gandhi, Maulana Azad, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Commonwealth), AYUSH, and Lata Mangeshkar scholarships stand out as some of the most prestigious and impactful scholarship programs.

More than 400 university professors in Sri Lanka (from fields including Ayurveda, humanities, and the arts) are alumni of ICCR, which is a strong testament to the importance of this relationship. Renowned artists such as Ananda Samarakoon, Nanda Malini, and Pradeep Ratnayake have also been part of this connection.

The ties between Sri Lanka and India are deeply intertwined through customs, history, religion, language, and culture and the architectural and artistic traditions shared by both nations has formed the foundation for continued cooperation in the past, present, and future.

The president Anura Kumara Dissanayake participated in the ICCR’s Distinguished Visitors Program in India in February 2024. During the visit, discussions were held with senior Indian officials, including Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing regional cooperation. Moreover, the president Anura Kumara Dissanayake showed particular interest in India’s state-level IT sector in Kerala and the cooperative model in Gujarat during his visit.

This event was attended by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, along with other distinguished guests, vice chancellors, deans, students studying Indian languages and performing arts.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Mr. Radosław Sikorski, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on May 29.

The Prime Minister welcomed the visiting delegation and expressed appreciation for the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Poland. The two sides engaged in a productive discussion focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding collaboration in several key areas, including economic development, labour mobility, high-end tourism, and the implementation of digital administrative systems.

During the discussion, Minister Sikorski assured that immediate action would be taken to resolve visa-related challenges currently faced by Sri Lankan nationals seeking to travel to Poland.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries. The Polish delegation included H.E. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka, Monika Bylaite, Deputy Head of Division for Asia-Pacific at the EEAS, Piotr Świtalski, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Poland in New Delhi, Joanna Dopierała-Konkołowicz, Marta Stachowiak, Małgorzata Kopeć, and Konrad Laskowski.

Representing Sri Lanka were Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe and North America Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that today’s young professionals must play a more active role in matters related to the national significance.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Organization of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPASL), held today (29) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.

During the event, senior members of the OPASL were appreciated, and a commemorative stamp marking the 50th anniversary was issued under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that the OPASL has made continuous efforts over the past five decades to unify Sri Lanka’s professional community and transform their expertise, ideas, and contributions into a collective voice and that the strength of the OPASL lies in its scale and multidisciplinary nature as a leading professional organization representing 52 member associations across 34 professions and approximately 60,000 professionals. The Prime Minister emphasized that the OPASL plays a vital role in Sri Lanka’s professional sphere.

The Prime Minister further stated that the OPASL is not merely an organization, but a platform that connects diverse sectors through a shared commitment to professional standards and national development.

The Prime Minister further highlighted that professionals in the fields of engineering, medicine, law, and urban planning play a crucial role in ensuring progress of the country, contributing essential technical knowledge, ethical standards, and long-term vision needed for sustainable and equitable national development.

At a time when Sri Lanka is undergoing transformative change, the Prime Minister underscored the critical role that organizations like the OPASL can play in generating innovative ideas and facilitating meaningful dialogue.

The Prime Minister affirmed the government’s readiness to strengthen youth professional forums and to encourage young professionals to take a more dynamic role in matters of national significance.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also stated that it is important for the younger generation to understand that professionals have a responsibility that goes beyond isolated roles and it is expected that by promoting mentorship, reinforcing ethical standards, and encouraging collective leadership, Sri Lanka’s professional community can continue to provide guidance and direction for the country.

The event was attended by Supreme Court Judge Sobhitha Rajakaruna, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, President of the OPASL Attorney-at-Law Sujeewa Lal Dahanayake, General Secretary to OPASL Thisara de Silva, and a large group of professionals.

Prime Minister’s Media Division