Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated, "Let’s also remember that healthcare is not just a service. It is a social necessity. And good regulation, like good governance, is ultimately about protecting and promoting that social necessity."

The Prime Minister made this remark while addressing the Centenary Celebration of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) held on 5th July at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

In alignment with the 100-year celebration, a commemorative stamp was officially released during the ceremony.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated:

"This is not just a celebration of 100 years of service to the public, to the medical profession, and to our country.

In the case of medicine, this responsibility becomes even more critical because here, we are dealing with life itself. Despite severe challenges, Sri Lanka has been able to maintain trust in the health system, as was evidenced during the COVID pandemic.

As the Minister of Education, I want to urge you to consider how we can ensure that our medical education produces more humane, empathetic, and ethical practitioners. I congratulate the Sri Lanka Medical Council on reaching this historic milestone. The government is proud to stand with you today and in the years to come."

Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa also attended to the event and while addressing the gathering he stated that,

"We live in a time of profound transformation in healthcare. The old certainties are giving way to new complexities. As we move toward universal health coverage, digitised care, genomic medicine, and cross-border service delivery, regulation must keep pace. The SLMC is not immune to these pressures it is, in fact, at the centre of them.

The Ministry of Health considers the SLMC a key partner, not only in regulating the medical profession but also in shaping the direction of healthcare delivery in Sri Lanka. Over the years, we have worked together on matters of licensing, education standards, continuing professional development, ethical oversight, and health workforce planning. These are not minor tasks—they go to the very heart of how we ensure quality, safety, and accountability in the health services we provide to our citizens."

The event was attended by ambassadors, the Attorney General, Justices of the Supreme Court, members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, and other dignitaries.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka is a distinguished institution that has created professional opportunities both locally and internationally for the youth of Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister made this remark while participating in the 75th Anniversary of the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka and the 21st International Photography Exhibition, held today (05) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

During the event, international honorary titles were awarded to outstanding individuals in the field of photography.

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

First of all, I extend my best wishes to the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka, which proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary today.

Although many regard photography as a form of entertainment media, it extends far beyond that being an art form, a medium of communication, and a tool for news dissemination.

Photography is a subject that should be studied thoroughly, and it is embedded in every other discipline like human language. That is why, in 1993, UNESCO included photography among the subjects to be learned in the 21st century.

In the current educational landscape, there are growing enthusiasts worldwide who are eager to study photography.

The National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka is a reputed educational and professional institution in Sri Lanka that explores multiple dimensions of photographic art. During the colonial era, when photography was identified as an artistic privilege reserved for foreigners, it was the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka that pioneered efforts to make photography a cultural and artistic heritage accessible to our own children in Sri Lanka.

The journey the Society has undertaken over 75 years is truly remarkable. Over the 75 years, the effort that the National Photographic Art Society has been made by offering education and evaluations, organizing exhibitions, creating numerous local and foreign career opportunities for the Sri Lankan’s youth, and offering certificate, diploma, and professional-level courses aligned with international standards with conducting vocational training completely free of charge as a volunteer-run institution in order to produce skilled, artistic professionals is truly appreciated.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further noted that many of today’s distinguished figures in media and cinema began their journeys at the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka.

The event was attended by Colombo Mayor Mrs. Vraie Cally Balthazaar, President of the National Photographic Art Society Mr. Shantha Gunasekara, veteran photographers, academics, and other dignitaries.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

The Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, emphasized that vocational education and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that an adequate attention is not drawn towards vocational education, but moving forward, necessary action will be taken to position it as a decisive subject in the country.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the inaugural ceremony of the "Shrama Meheyuma" programme launched today (July 4) at the Gampaha Technical College, centering vocational training institutions across the island with the aim of establishing a well-structured and attractive institutional system.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister further stated:

I am grateful for forwarding the concept of Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage in initiating the ’Shrama Meheyuma’ across the country, focusing on vocational education. Even though the mission is initiated by ’Shrama Meheyuma’ programme, we aim at focusing the attention to vocational education and highlight its significance to the entire nation. Vocational education becomes a decisive subject of the country in the future. It is the Ministry of Education that is responsible for producing the human resources needed for the labour market. However, the portion that often goes unnoticed is the role of vocational education in creating that workforce.

Currently, there is a societal misconception that vocational education is a fallback option and something only pursued when one fails to enter a university. That notion is completely wrong. Choosing vocational education is a smart, meaningful, and highly relevant decision for both individual growth and national development.

The decision to pursue vocational education should not be a coincidence, nor should it be made in ignorance or at the last moment. It must be a conscious, informed decision based on one’s capabilities, interests, and understanding of the world.

That is why, in the upcoming 2026 education reforms, we have allocated a special focus on vocational education. These reforms are not minor adjustments. They go far beyond simply revising a subject stream.

We are planning to integrate vocational training from the school level itself. Through that, the government aims to develop and produce the human resources needed for a new era of national revival.

The Prime Minister affirmed that steps are being taken to elevate vocational education to a higher position in the country.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, Mr. Nalin Hewage,

Major reforms are currently underway to achieve the policy of the government to guide the country toward a prosperous future and a dignified life in a national revival.

In order to realize this transformation, our institutions must first undergo modernization. Young people must evolve in their thinking. Although today’s youth have advanced with technology, our institutional systems lag far behind. Therefore, it is crucial to create a modern institutional environment that aligns with today’s youth. That is why we have launched this massive labour mission across 311 institutions in Sri Lanka, involving over 160,000 participants. This is just the beginning; we aim to create major national transformation through this sector.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Labour, Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe,

There are numerous courses offered by vocational training institutions under government, and students from all over the country, including the North and East are enrolling in them. However, some training centers are facing a shortage of students. We believe this is due to shortcomings in our education system. While several institutions operate under the Ministry of Labour, we plan to strengthen them further and ensure they deliver effective training.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Withanage, Member of Parliament Lasith Bhaskantha, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education Mr. Nalaka Kaluwawa, Mayor of Gampaha, District Secretary of Gampaha, Principal of the Gampaha Technical College Mr. P.M.K. Gomes, Government officials, parents, and students.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

A high-level delegation of Chief Executive Officers from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) met with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Parliament of Sri Lanka on June 30.

The Prime Minister conveyed her appreciation for the continued partnership between India and Sri Lanka, particularly in advancing the country’s ongoing economic recovery and development.

The Indian delegation reaffirmed the robust and evolving economic relationship between the two countries, noting the positive momentum generated by the recent state visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India. Discussions focused on expanding trade and investment opportunities across key sectors such as technology, manufacturing, education, innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, energy, and tourism.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of inclusive and equitable investment strategies that support youth empowerment, women entrepreneurs, and the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

The meeting was attended by leading Indian CEOs and officials from the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Niluka Kadurugamuwa, Director General of the South Asia and SAARC Division, and Ms. Prashanthi Krishnamoorthy, Deputy Director of the South Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister’s Media Division

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