Rs. 180 million has been allocated solely from the Central Cultural Fund for the conservation of Gallangolla Mulamaha Viharaya

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks on June 19 while attending the commencement of restoration work at the Pothgul Mulamaha Viharaya in Gallangolla, Welamboda, Udunuwara, which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. The restoration project is being undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Central Cultural Fund.

The restoration activities at the temple commenced under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Ambanpola Sarada Nayaka Thero.

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

The true objectives of the Central Cultural Fund are now being delivered effectively. Rs. 185 million has been allocated for the conservation of Gallangolla Moolamaha Viharaya solely from the Fund’s allocations. This clearly demonstrates how much more could have been accomplished if the resources of the Central Cultural Fund had not been misused in the past.

The government collects revenue not to keep it in the Treasury or for any other purpose, but to return benefits to the people. The government has allocated Rs. 500 million for relief efforts related to the cyclone Ditwah. We are also taking steps to construct 15,000 houses. All of this is being done without resorting to additional borrowing.

At the same time, if we are to move towards the transformative era we aspire to achieve as a government, economic development alone is not sufficient. We must develop every sector, including our heritage, culture, and education. In particular, if we are to pass on our heritage and culture to future generations, we must protect them today. By conserving the Gallangolla Pothgul Mulamaha Viharaya, not only will this important heritage site be safeguarded, but the entire area will also benefit and develop.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, stated:

The Central Cultural Fund has allocated Rs. 504 million for the restoration of seven major religious sites that were damaged by Cyclone Ditwah and the largest allocation Rs. 185 million has been granted to this temple. All of these funds have been provided from the allocations of the Central Cultural Fund.

The event was attended by the Maha Sangha led by Venerable Godamunne Pangnakitti Nayaka Thero, Chief Sanghanayake of the Central Province of the Ramanna Nikaya and Principal of the Udunuwara Nigrodhakeththa Maha Pirivena; Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni; Members of Parliament; public representatives; officials of the Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Archaeology; other government officials; and a large number of residents of the area.

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Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that if Sri Lanka is to nurture the future leaders, children must be exposed from the primary education itself to the experiences and values gained through fields such as aesthetics and sports.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the “Punchi Hapannu 2026” occasion to recognize and appreciate the winners of the Primary Literary Skills, held on 18 June at Polpithigama National School during an educational inspection tour in the Kurunegala District.

The event was organized to recognize the winners of the “Punchi Hapannu 2026” Language and Literary Skills Competition, which was conducted with the participation of students from 49 primary schools in the Polpithigama Education Division, based on a concept initiated by the Divisional Director of Education. The occasion was further featured by aesthetic performances presented by students who had won across 17 different competition categories.

During the event, certificates were awarded to the winners by the Prime Minister.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister further stated:

The initiative undertaken within the Polpithigama Education Division is an example for the entire country. Primary education is a broad and multifaceted field. The foundation provided through primary education is important in guiding a child along the right path. A child has only one opportunity in life to experience primary education, and it is our responsibility to ensure that this opportunity is provided in the most appropriate way.

Today, we witnessed how effectively the children of the Polpithigama Education Division utilized the opportunity given to them to creatively showcase their aesthetic talents. Likewise, we are striving to build an education system that provides opportunities for children across Sri Lanka to develop their hidden talents.

Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister visited Makulpotha Maha Vidyalaya in the Polpithigama Education Division and participated in the occasion of laying the foundation-stone for a new two-storey school building.

The construction project, implemented with an investment of Rs. 45 million, is scheduled to be completed in 2026 and handed over for students in January 2027.

The event was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Kurunegala District Member of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Geetha Herath, education officials of the North Western Province, parents, principals, and several other invitees.

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Minister of Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that ensuring the education and well-being of children is not solely the responsibility of the government and the teachers, but also a shared responsibility of all citizens. The Prime Minister made these remarks on 18 June while attending the occasion of foundation stone-laying for a new two-storey building at Walaswewa Gunapala Malalasekara Model School in Maho.

Established in 1936 as a temple school and later brought under the government school system, Walaswewa Gunapala Malalasekara Model School was compelled to close in 2004 due to various reasons. However, after being reopened, it has developed into a distinctive educational institution with approximately 1,300 students currently receiving their education there.

Addressing at the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

"The commitment shown by local residents and well-wishers of the school towards its development, in addition to the intervention of the government, is commendable. Ensuring the education and well-being of children is not only the responsibility of the government and teachers, but also a shared responsibility of the entire nation. By the year 2026, there should not be a single school lacking its basic facilities, and the government is committed to achieve this goal.

Children should not be viewed through the narrow lens of being either talented or untalented. Every child possesses unique abilities. It is the responsibility of the education system to identify those abilities and help each child reach their full potential.

The ultimate objective of all government investments is to nurture citizens who are creative, resilient and critical thinkers. Through the ongoing education reforms, we are creating opportunities for children to access and excel in the new fields and possibilities emerging across the world."

The new two-storey building, to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 37.6 million, will comprise six classrooms and an office. Construction is scheduled to be completed before the end of this year

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne, Kurunegala District Member of Parliament Geetha Herath, Chairman of the Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha Sumedha Kumara, Secretary to the North Western Provincial Chief Ministry Chandana Wanninayake, other government officials, North Western Zonal Director of Education R.M.I.M.A. Jinnah, education officials, the Principal, members of the academic staff, and other invitees.

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Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that it is the Government’s priority to create an environment that enables all children, without discrimination, to access the opportunities in the modern world and to confidently pursue their dreams.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Annual Prize-Giving Ceremony for the year 2025 at St. Bernadette’s Model School, Kurunegala, during an education inspection tour in the Kurunegala District on 18 June 2026.

During the event, prizes were awarded to students who had demonstrated outstanding achievements in various subjects and grades during the year 2025 by the Prime Minister.

The official school newspaper of St. Bernadette’s Model school, titled “Adarsha Prabha,” was also launched on this occasion.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated:

When we visit schools like this and meet children and teachers such as yourselves, it strengthens our determination to ensure that education in our country is elevated to the highest standards. We want to see schools where children’s faces reflect happiness and where they are nurtured in an environment of love and care.

As a country, we face numerous challenges. After a prolonged period of economic downturn, we are now gradually restoring stability. Global and climate-related challenges also affect us as a nation. We can overcome these challenges if we work collectively.

We are implementing our plans with the objective of bringing about a transformation in the education sector. This goes beyond curriculum development to a broad range of initiatives, including the strengthening of human resources and infrastructure within the education sector, thereby creating pathways for children to thrive in the new world. We must ensure that every child feels that the opportunities of the modern world are open to them and has the confidence needed to pursue their aspirations.

We are moving forward with many new reforms in the education sector. Efforts are underway to facilitate education through digitalization and the introduction of new subjects. Further, we aim to provide students with quality education by strengthening teacher training processes.

Following the event, the Prime Minister undertook an inspection visit to St. Bernadette’s Model Primary School, Kurunegala.

The Prime Minister also visited Ridibendiella Gajanegama Maha Vidyalaya, Mahawa, where the Prime Minister held a discussion with the school’s academic staff. During the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed her appreciation to the teachers who remain dedicated to providing education to children in the area despite challenging circumstances.

The occasion was attended by the Governor of the North Western Province Tissa Warnasuriya; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; Kurunegala District Members of Parliament Ashoka Gunasekara and Geetha Herath; Chairman of the Kurunegala Pradeshiya Sabha M.A. Wimalasiri; Chairman of the Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha Sumedha Kumara; Chief Secretary to the Ministry of the North Western Province Chandana Wanninayake; other government officials; and representatives of the North Western Provincial Education Authorities.

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It has been identified that 126 school hostel buildings within the island’s school system are in a dilapidated condition and that maintenance activities have not been carried out adequately. As a result, education and living conditions of the students have been negatively affected.

Accordingly, in order to address this situation and to provide students with a quality and suitable educational environment, the Government has taken steps to upgrade the essential facilities of the hostels. In this regard, Cabinet approval has been granted for the proposal submitted by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, to implement the project for the renovation of these school hostels during the period 2026–2028 at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,008 million.

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It is important to enhance the services such as day-care centres and vocational training programmes for persons with disabilities, and community-based activities for older persons.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that special attention should be directed towards food security, water management, and energy management in preparation for anticipated impacts of El Niño.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the Colombo District Coordinating Committee meeting held today (16) at the Colombo District Secretariat.

During the meeting, attention was focused on the progress of development programmes planned for 2026 as at 15 June 2026, including the Decentralized Budget Programme, Rural Roads Programme, Disaster Risk Reduction Projects, the Prajashakthi Programme, and projects implemented under line ministries.

While reviewing projects being implemented under the Ministry of Sports, a decision was taken at the meeting to establish a Sports Sub-Committee for the Colombo District and Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that future activities would be planned through this sub-committee.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also emphasized the need to pay special attention to the development of sports activities in rural schools.

Highlighting the importance of preparing for the direct impacts of the anticipated El Niño weather conditions in Sri Lanka and the global challenges following the situation, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to focus on food security, water management, and energy management. The Prime Minister further noted the importance of conducting awareness programmes on energy conservation and the efficient use.

Commenting on the programme to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities implemented under the Prajashakthi Programme, the Prime Minister stated that special attention should also be given to strengthening services such as day-care centres and vocational training programmes for persons with disabilities, and community-based activities for older persons.

The event was attended by Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara, public representatives of the Colombo District, government officials, and other invitees.

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